Mass internet scams increasing rapidly

Internet security remains an issue and although Mack-line has written about the need to be careful, a story breaking late last week has prompted a new warning.

Authorities in the United States smashed one of the world's biggest networks of virus-infected computers.

It was a data vacuum that stole credit cards and online banking credentials from as many as 12.7 million poisoned PCs.

The "botnet" of infected computers included PCs inside more than half of the Fortune 1000 companies.

More than 40 major banks were infiltrated, according to investigators.

Spanish investigators have arrested the three alleged ringleaders of the so-called Mariposa botnet, which grew into one of the biggest weapons of cybercrime.

More arrests are expected soon in other countries, and that is unusual.

The masterminds behind the biggest botnets are not often taken down.

Virus warnings have been appearing regularly on a computer owned by a friend.

Despite running regular scans, uninstalling WindowsLive, as messages with questionable links were being sent to and from Live contacts, the warnings remain.

Symantec reported last week that by the end of February, it was already seeing several of its 2010 cyber security predictions come true.

Here are some hard numbers for Mack-line readers to think about:More than 75% of businesses have suffered a cyber attack in the past 12 months.

Credit cards are the top item for sale.

Credit card information is the most commonly advertised item for sale in the underground economy, accounting for 18% of all goods and services.

Banks get phished, with 76% of brands used in phising attacks so far this year being in the financial sector.

News agendas drive attacks.

The earthquake in Haiti was sadly followed by an increase in the volume of scam and phishing messages as spammers used the event for their benefit.

While businesses and consumers alike are attracted by the flexibility of online banking, it should be noted that this, too, carries inherent security risks.

Internet security firm AVG reported that Australian Bureau of Statistics research found six million people were exposed to scams and frauds during any given year and more than 800,000 fell victim in some way.

AVG Australia-New Zealand marketing manager Lloyd Borrett said the use of the internet by cyber criminals to mass-market fraudulent schemes was unprecedented and increasing rapidly.

The threats posed by online banking might be more acute, given the dangers associated with so-called "insider threats".

Online banking provided a new channel for internal or external criminals to steal money or confidential information.

AVG research showed 85% of people now used the internet for shopping, and more than two-thirds did their banking online.

"Banks could also be doing more," he said.

"The use of drop-down menus as part of the log-in process can help defeat key-logging software."

Criminals used key-logging software to record key-strokes.

Drop-down menus could not be recorded in that way, as they were activated by the user's mouse.

Last week, Mack-line's Otago Daily Times email and various others used - Gmail, Fastmail and Yahoo!Xtra - received "requests" from three New Zealand banks to update details.

That scam is an oldie but a goodie.

Do not be fooled into providing your details.

Mack-line deals with three banks and Credit Union South.

The BNZ and the credit union both provide a second level of security when logging in.

Westpac regularly asks you to change your password.

National Bank is a new addition, so there is no update on what it's security measures are.

Be aware when you are banking or shopping online.

Check that an online internet payment system has a padlock symbol displayed in either the bottom right-hand corner of the web page or in the address bar, and never access an online payment system via a link contained in an email.