RECOGNIZE THE CYBER-ENEMY

Knowing players in the underworld of cybercrime is not easy.

Cybercriminals are not only Millennials or Gen X, Y, Z night owls who cut their teeth on computer games, prefer nightshifts, live in their parents’ basement, and don brand-label jeans, black hoodies, and Nikes. No longer! In the past decade, they have developed their thieving skills and formed effective teams that produce their “deliverables” in the light of day while sporting attire and footwear from the top selling unisex brands (Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfilger, Hugo Boss, Cole Haan). Today’s cybercriminal might be your neighbor, colleague, or the subdued guy or gal with a killer side job that affords them any brand they choose.

In dissecting the profile of a cyber-criminal, we learn that they are fearless, usually forging ahead with a new version of a former malware product and a Monte Python back-up plan (“Run away, run away!”) which they execute when they encounter the government tracking their disruption, or a Cybersecurity firm’s qualified cyber-career specialists using AI and a 24 hour SOC to swiftly identify and turn the tables on them.

Ransoming has resulted in a brand job category: Ransom Broker. These negotiators liaise between ransomed firms and the cybercriminal to broker a ransom fee.

Some cybercriminals actually get tired of the scams and schemes they run on unsuspecting victims. Last year, one such United Kingdom cybercriminal group surrendered their hacking secrets to Europol.

So there you have it: Executive-looking thieves, skilled at hacking everything hackable, providing jobs for other unethical, adrenalin-driven candidates who are willing to put their future on the line in exchange for enticing amounts of money. Many are the “must have it now” sharp-shooters who have created a life-style they will go to any length to maintain.

Why might this profiling of cybercriminals be useful to you, to societies around the globe, and to your company?  Because every digital thing can be abused, if cybercrime is not contained and curtailed. We live in a digital world where communication and internet access are critical to daily living. If our infrastructure were to be compromised, everything would be affected: clean water and air, transportation of goods, physical safety and policing, electrical grids, food production and distribution, fuel, environmentally-driven crises, health care…

Everything, including the ability to learn from cyberattacks and erect defenses so we are prepared for the repercussions of our choices and actions at all levels.

The best example occurring as I write is the impact on Ukraine, resulting from unchecked cybercrime ravaging a country that technology otherwise could help if used accountably and with a conscience for humanity. Instead, news headlines evidence the following:

• Ukraine Arrests Cybercrime Group for Selling Data of 30 Million Accounts  Accounts belonging to citizens from Ukraine and Europe acquired on the dark web, netted the cybercriminals a profit of $372,000 sold via electronic payment systems that are outlawed in Ukraine.
• Ukraine Arrests Cybercrime Gang Operating Over 400 Phishing Sites The fraudulent websites were crafted to appear like EU portals providing financial assistance to Ukrainians.

Imagine the heartache when, in a war-torn zone, a seemingly kind offer is extended but you later learn your identity was stolen and there is no chance of financial help. Who does this to someone struggling to exist?

You cannot fight an enemy you don’t recognize. Make it your business to be cyber-aware.  (They are certainly getting to know and target you.)  Learn the signs, signals, and red flags to keep cybercriminals out of your personal and work space. You can avoid these thieves who have no regard for the way they make their living. Just lock arms with a qualified partner like Data-Guard 365 to assist you in gaining greater cyber maturity, and to protect you, your information assets, and your peace.

Data-Guard365 is a MSSP firm headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, with offices in Chicago, Atlanta, and other strategic locations across the globe. The company is a one-of-a-kind business partner whose people, processes, and technology provide hardened cyber security for a price point that pays for itself.

www.Data-Guard365.com / (317)967-6767 / info@data-guard365.com