fraud – Page 3 – SSL and internet security news

Cryptocurrency Pump and Dump Scams

June 24, 2020 infossl

academicpapers, cryptocurrency, fraud, scams, Security technology

Really interesting research: “An examination of the cryptocurrency pump and dump ecosystem“: Abstract: The surge of interest in cryptocurrencies has been accompanied by a proliferation of fraud. This paper examines pump and dump schemes. The recent explosion of nearly 2,000 cryptocurrencies in an unregulated environment has expanded the scope for abuse. We quantify the scope … Read More “Cryptocurrency Pump and Dump Scams” »

Clarifying the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act

March 31, 2020 infossl

courts, crime, fraud, hacking, Security technology

A federal court has ruled that violating a website’s terms of service is not “hacking” under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The plaintiffs wanted to investigate possible racial discrimination in online job markets by creating accounts for fake employers and job seekers. Leading job sites have terms of service prohibiting users from supplying fake … Read More “Clarifying the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act” »

SIM Hijacking

January 21, 2020 infossl

academicpapers, authentication, cellphones, fraud, Security technology, simcards, smartphones, usability

SIM hijacking — or SIM swapping — is an attack where a fraudster contacts your cell phone provider and convinces them to switch your account to a phone that they control. Since your smartphone often serves as a security measure or backup verification system, this allows the fraudster to take over other accounts of yours. … Read More “SIM Hijacking” »

Chrome Extension Stealing Cryptocurrency Keys and Passwords

January 3, 2020 infossl

blockchain, chrome, cryptocurrency, fraud, keys, passwords, Security technology, theft

A malicious Chrome extension surreptitiously steals Ethereum keys and passwords: According to Denley, the extension is dangerous to users in two ways. First, any funds (ETH coins and ERC0-based tokens) managed directly inside the extension are at risk. Denley says that the extension sends the private keys of all wallets created or managed through its … Read More “Chrome Extension Stealing Cryptocurrency Keys and Passwords” »

The Story of Tiversa

December 3, 2019 infossl

courts, cybersecurity, fbi, fraud, ftc, Security technology

The New Yorker has published the long and interesting story of the cybersecurity firm Tiversa. Watching “60 Minutes,” Boback saw a remarkable new business angle. Here was a multibillion-dollar industry with a near-existential problem and no clear solution. He did not know it then, but, as he turned the opportunity over in his mind, he … Read More “The Story of Tiversa” »

Details of an Airbnb Fraud

November 6, 2019 infossl

fraud, hotels, Security technology

This is a fascinating article about a bait-and-switch Airbnb fraud. The article focuses on one particular group of scammers and how they operate, using the fact that Airbnb as a company doesn’t do much to combat fraud on its platform. But I am more interested in how the fraudsters essentially hacked the complex sociotechnical system … Read More “Details of an Airbnb Fraud” »

Ineffective Package Tracking Facilitates Fraud

September 25, 2019 infossl

fraud, mail, Security technology, tracking

This article discusses an e-commerce fraud technique in the UK. Because the Royal Mail only tracks packages to the postcode — and not to the address – it’s possible to commit a variety of different frauds. Tracking systems that rely on signature are not similarly vulnerable. Powered by WPeMatico

Fabricated Voice Used in Financial Fraud

September 12, 2019 infossl

artificialintelligence, cybercrime, fraud, identitytheft, impersonation, Security technology

This seems to be an identity theft first: Criminals used artificial intelligence-based software to impersonate a chief executive’s voice and demand a fraudulent transfer of €220,000 ($243,000) in March in what cybercrime experts described as an unusual case of artificial intelligence being used in hacking. Another news article. Powered by WPeMatico

The Threat of Fake Academic Research

August 27, 2019 infossl

disinformation, fakenews, fraud, russia, Security technology

Interesting analysis of the possibility, feasibility, and efficacy of deliberately fake scientific research, something I had previously speculated about. Powered by WPeMatico

Phone Pfarming for Ad Fraud

August 6, 2019 infossl

facebook, fraud, google, Security technology, smartphones

Interesting article on people using banks of smartphones to commit ad fraud for profit. No one knows how prevalent ad fraud is on the Internet. I believe it is surprisingly high — here’s an article that places losses between $6.5 and $19 billion annually — and something companies like Google and Facebook would prefer remain … Read More “Phone Pfarming for Ad Fraud” »