• Log in
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact us
Telecoms IT News - VanillaPlus
  • Home
  • News
  • Verticals
    • 4G
    • 5G News
    • Big data analytics
    • Bill & Charge
    • CEM
    • Companies
    • Digital transformation
    • Fraud prevention
    • Managed services
    • Network optimisation
    • NFV Hub
    • OSS
    • People
    • Policy
    • Revenue assurance
    • Revenue management
    • Service assurance
    • Service Provisioning
    • Test & measurement
  • Digital Edition
  • Events
    • Events diary
    • Webinars
  • Videos
  • VP Featured
    • Webinars
    • Podcast
    • Editorial advisory board
    • Expert opinions
    • Hot List
    • Operator View
    • Press releases
    • Reports & whitepapers
    • Special reports
    • Talking Heads
    • Troubleticket
    • Digital Talking Heads
  • Directory
  • Tech Trends
  • Subscribe
 

You are here:

  • Home
  • Business & Markets
  • Wannabe fraudsters can buy hacking tools on dark web for cost of cup of coffee

Wannabe fraudsters can buy hacking tools on dark web for cost of cup of coffee

27 July, 2018 at 7:34 AM

Posted by: Zenobia Hegde

Wannabe fraudsters can buy hacking tools on dark web for cost of cup of coffee

Wannabe hackers looking to dip their toes into online fraud can get their hands on tools to start hacking for about the price of a cup of takeaway coffee. This is according to the latest Dark Web Market Price Index by Virtual Private Network (VPN) comparison service Top10VPN.com.

‘Entry-level’ hacking tools, such as ready-made phishing pages, software to compromise Wi-Fi networks and files to help hack passwords all go for under £3 (€3.38) on the dark web.

Coupled with the availability of how-to guides on the dark web – meaning rookie hackers need no prior knowledge of how to carry out attacks – there’s a real concern that online fraud could be becoming more commonplace.

A wide variety of hacking tools can be purchased on the dark web – from software such as remote access trojans that can take over your computer and card cloning software to heavy duty hardware including kits allowing you to spoof mobile phone masts in order to intercept texts and calls from connecting devices.

For criminals wanting to commit a range of scams, it’s possible to assemble a complete online fraud toolkit for around £100 (€112.53), with equipment allowing hackers to infect people with malware and hack Wi-Fi networks – all with a view to stealing their personal info to commit identity theft.

At the other end of the price scale, readymade brand-specific phishing pages – tricking customers into believing they are entering details on bonafide Paypal, Facebook or Apple web pages – fetch around £2 (€2.25) a pop.

Fraudsters can also pick up complete ‘how-to’ guides for phishing or carrying out malware attacks for around £8 (€9.00) on average, but frequently less. However some vendors will throw these comprehensive guides in for free as a sweetener with the sale of hacking tools.

Simon Migliano, head of research at Top10VPN.com, says: “With state-ordered cyber breaches frequently hitting the news agenda, it’s easy to forget that the majority of hack attacks aren’t particularly sophisticated or carried out by shady organisations.

“In fact, this research suggests that even rookie fraudsters can get their hands on what they need to commit online fraud for less than the cost of a pint of beer. While guides about how to commit these crimes abound on the dark web, many of the listed tools come readymade for people with even the most basic of understandings.

“Pre-configured password hacking tools and templated phishing pages, for example, are effectively ready for use and retail for less than a couple of quid on the dark web. Perhaps more worryingly, this research dug up examples of phishing pages for practically every popular brand, from tech giants like Apple and Paypal through to popular mobile games and apps such as League of Legends and Fitbit.

“For a little more than pocket change, hackers can perform more sophisticated attacks. We found countless listings for tools to commit cryptocurrency fraud through malware attacks that would then allow criminals to access lucrative Bitcoin accounts – with the price of Bitcoin currently worth around £6,000 (€6751.95) a pop.

“With more and more people suffering cyber attacks every year, it’s clear that this affordable market for hacking tools is catalysing a higher incidence of more everyday hacks. The perception that hacks are purely the territory of techy bedroom warriors or organisations like Anonymous is increasingly a thing of the past – and all consumers need to be aware of that.”

Comment on this article below or via Twitter: @VanillaPlus OR @jcvplus


category: Business & Markets, Companies, Connected Devices, News

Tags: Apple, Facebook, Fitbit, PayPal, VPN

VanillaPlus Q3 Magazine
 

VanillaPlus Magazine Issue 1 2022: Why IT must catch up with OT to enable 5G monetisation

Is creativity a bridge too far for CSPs? As communications service providers (CSPs) engage in new digital value chains, collaborate with partners and participate in multi-directional business models, George Malim shares a tale of two bridges

READ NOW

Comments are closed.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Subscribe
Relax time
Read the new novel by J.J. Cowan on Africa’s conflict minerals trade and forced labour. 5* Reviews on Amazon.co.uk Paperback & Kindle

Check out on Amazon

X

Be the first to know!

  • The top telecom IT news stories of the minute
    in your inbox
  • Exclusive offers for entry into hundreds of
    events worldwide
  • Free access to a huge selection of the latest
    analyst reports and whitepapers
Subscribe now so you don't miss out
Don’t show me this again
Please check your email
x
Vanillaplus - The Global Voice of Telecoms IT
The Global Voice of Telecoms IT

VanillaPlus is the world-leading resource covering digital transformation for the communications industry. VanillaPlus brings you exclusive News, Expert Views, and Event Reviews. See Interviews from CEOs, CTOs, and COOs who are successfully transforming their business today.

Connect

Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn

NEWS

  • Latest Telecoms IT news

DIGITAL EDITION

  • Latest Editions

OTHER

  • Newsletters [Archive]

KNOWLEDGE CENTRE

  • Webinars
  • Special Reports
  • Talking Heads
  • Editorial Advisory Board

COMPANY

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

PARTNERS

  • IoT News

© 2014-2022 VanillaPlus - The global voice for telecoms IT. All rights reserved.