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Cybercrooks are using new, more advanced technology to steal your information. These “backroom” advances have changed cybercrime forever and put Australians at risk for hackers.
The number of remote access Trojan spyware products on the black market has increased tenfold over recent years to at least 50, according to University Melbourne senior cybersecurity lecturer Shaanan Cohney.
Cybercrimes have evolved for years, but the recent shift to a business model. It’s no longer just about showing off; it’s about making money.
“What we’ve seen is an explosion in the number of these products on sale,” said Dr Cohney, adding that this may be due to increased incentives among those selling them or making their software available online.
The “all-inclusive” remote access Trojans are a type of spyware that provides users with everything they need to steal information from your computer.
With remote access Trojans, hackers can monitor keystrokes and see what you type. They may also turn on webcams or microphones without your knowledge–and even download programs to mine cryptocurrency.
Since it’s such a popular type of spyware, it’s not surprising that there is little data on the subject. However, last week Australian Federal Police announced they had charged an alleged mastermind behind one product called Imminent Monitor, which seemingly fits this definition.
More than 14,500 people in 128 countries purchased it. Global cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks received 65,000 samples or reports related to the program.
The 24-year-old is accused of fraud, according to police, who claim he made up to $400,000 utilising Imminent Monitor by selling it for about $35 – a relatively inexpensive price considering some goods sell for tens of thousands.
Out of all the cyber attacks conducted this year by Palo Alto Networks, ransomware was related to more than one in three investigations, making it the most common attack.
According to historical data, approximately 24,300 annual Palo Alto Networks cybercrime reports are ransomware-related. However, the firm has stated that this number has likely increased due to the spread of remote access Trojans.
Law enforcement organisations from around the world are coming together to combat malware. The Australian Federal Police has co-led an operation with Europol since 2019 to investigate malware crimes and acknowledges that the proliferation of these malicious programs poses significant challenges for international law enforcement.
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