(M2 PressWIRE Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)
RDATE:08042008

Core Facts

* What is the value of a UK identity? - Symantec, today announces that
UK identities are being bought and sold in bulk-buy special offers on
"cyber crime supermarket" style underground economies, according to the
latest edition of its Internet Security Threat Report - Volume XIII.

* The bi-annual global report found that UK bank account details are
being sold on underground economy servers for as little as GBP5, and
are the most commonly advertised item for sale on these "cyber
supermarket" black market forums used by criminals to advertise and
trade stolen information and services.

* Where you live also indicates how attractive your identity is to
cyber criminals as the report found that EU identities are in much
higher demand, being traded at prices 50 per cent higher than American
identities. This is because of the flexibility of their use, since EU
citizens are able to travel and conduct business freely throughout
Europe making them useful to attackers who can use the identities
easily across borders.

* The Internet Security Threat Report also found that the higher the
bank balance, the more lucrative it will be when sold on the cyber
supermarket, with high value business accounts advertised for
considerably more than lower balanced consumer ones. Bank accounts that
bundled in personal information such as names, addresses and dates of
birth were advertised at higher prices than those without this extra
information - indicating how identity thieves are adopting a
'buy-one-get-one-free' philosophy.

* The Symantec report also found that cyber crime is becoming
increasingly sophisticated and personalised, with an increase in
attacks on the end-user consumer. When it comes to trading, identities
have now become a commercial commodity with Symantec observing a new
phenomenon of bulk-buying of confidential consumer data - where
personal details are packaged up in bargain bundles. For example,
during the last six months of 2007, Symantec observed bundles of 50
credit card numbers for sale at GBP20 (GBP0.40 each), and 500 credit
card bundles for GBP100 (GBP0.20 each).

* After credit cards, full identities were the third most common item
advertised for sale on the cyber supermarket, making up nine percent of
all advertised goods, an increase from six percent in the first half of
2007. Symantec observed that identity trading is on the increase with
some details being sold for as little as 50p - even stolen eBay
accounts are up for grabs.

* The variety of personal data for sale is constantly growing as cyber
criminals are constantly changing and adapting their methods to
introduce new tactics to achieve their goal of identity fraud. The
report found that Mailers are now one of the most popular ways
cybercriminals have designed to mislead Web users. The constant
developments of new methods of attack indicates that the underground
economy is a mature one. The personalisation of malicious activity and
the price bargains and packages available are also indicators of the
economy's sophistication.

Quotes "Our latest report has clearly identified that the underground
economy market for stolen online consumer data is continuing to grow
and become more aggressively driven by market forces. We are not only
seeing new types of data displayed readily for sale, but also seeing
more aggressive trading arrangements taking place between cyber buyer
and seller. There is also an obvious shift in focus from attacks
targeted at instant financial gain versus those aimed at obtaining
identity information from consumers in pursuit of longer term rewards."

"When new information like this report is produced it becomes even more
critical that consumers are aware of how best to protect themselves and
their identities when interacting in any way online. Users can take
protective measures such as installing the latest Internet security and
phishing protection software, ensuring passwords are strong, only ever
enter credentials onto an official site and do not click through email
links, and keep personal information safe. All very basic advice, but
tips that could make a huge difference if consumers are targeted by a
phishing attack." Content Available:-

Imagery:- Richard Archdeacon -
http://blogit.webitpr.com/media/Richard%20Archdeacon_formal_2.jpg
Symantec Receipt -
http://blogit.webitpr.com/media/symantec%20receipt%20final.jpg
Underground Economy -
http://blogit.webitpr.com/media/Underground%20economy%20site.JPG ISTR
Executive Summary -
http://blogit.webitpr.com/media/ISTR_XIII_Exec_summary_02_04.pdf Guy
Bunker - http://blogit.webitpr.com/media/Guy%20Bunker_Symantec.JPG
Global Intelligence Network -
http://blogit.webitpr.com/media/Global%20Intelligence%20Network%20Update
_1.JPG

Audio Files:- Symantec ISTR Podcast -
http://blogit.webitpr.com/media/Symantec%20ISTR%20Podcast%20Consumer.mp3

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