Criminal Hackers Create 3 Million Fraudulent Websites Annually

[Starbuck]

A recent study shows that organized criminals create approximately 8,000 malicious websites every day, or over 57,000 each week.

 

These malicious websites model legitimate websites that we visit every day, such as bank websites, online shopping sites, and eBay. According to this study, the most frequently impersonated companies include

Visa, Amazon.com, PayPal, HSBC, and the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

People are typically directed to these scam sites in one of three ways:

 

1. Often, potential victims end up visiting these spoofed websites via phishing scams. Phishing, of course, occurs when you receive an email that appears to be sent from your bank or other trusted entity, and a link in the email brings you to a website that is designed to steal your login credentials.

 

2. Scammers lure victims to their scam sites via search engines. When a website is created and uploaded to a server, search engines index the scam sites as they would any legitimate site. Doing a Google search can sometimes lead you to a website designed to steal your identity.

 

3. Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are free, and this gives scammers an advertising platform. Criminals simply post links in status messages, on group pages, or fan message boards, using the legitimate appearance of the site to gain credibility.

 

Once a computer user clicks one of these links, he or she ends up on a website that is riddled with malicious software, which may install itself on the victim’s computer even if the victim doesn’t click or download anything on the scam site. This tactic is called a “drive by.” Or, users may be tricked into clicking links to download files. Either way, the ultimate goal is to gather usernames, passwords, and, if possible, credit card or Social Security numbers in order to steal identities.

 

 

Source:

Criminal Hackers Create 3 Million Fraudulent Websites Annually - Boston Information Security | Examiner.com

[rowal5555]

Years ago when Conficker was a real threat, I changed my router settings to use OpenDNS as an alternative to using the default DNS from my ISP. OpenDNS will not connect to an infected site and to date has picked up more than 1 million phishing scam sites. It is trusted by some of the biggest names in the business.

 

OpenDNS has now picked up one of the most prestigious Internet Awards, and received a plug from the NY Times (pretty good reasons for looking at this free service I reckon).

 

http://www.opendns.com/newsletter/?issue=2010_09&home

OpenDNS | Internet Navigation And Security

 

Cheers

[Starbuck]

OpenDNS is not a program that i've actually got around to trying, but have heard a lot of good things.

A lot of well respected friends of mine will confirm that it's a top class program.

 

I'd think that although there's a free version....

It would be wise to get the OpenDNS Deluxe version.

At $9.95/year for a family pack (individual or household with up to 5 users) it's well worth it.

 

OpenDNS > Use OpenDNS

 

Thanks for pointing out this program to other members. http://fc07.deviantart.com/images3/i/2004/146/9/1/Two_thumbs_up.gif

Edited October 8, 2010 by Starbuck