Most Computer Attacks Originate in U.S.

**Mercury** · 03-19-2007, 05:01 PM

Most Computer Attacks Originate in U.S.

The United States generates more malicious computer activity than any other country, and sophisticated hackers worldwide are banding together in highly efficient crime rings, according to a new report.

Researchers at Cupertino-based Symantec Corp. also found that fierce competition in the criminal underworld is driving down prices for stolen financial information.

Criminals may purchase verified credit card numbers for as little as $1, and they can buy a complete identity _ a date of birth and U.S. bank account, credit card and government-issued identification numbers _ for $14, according to Symantec's twice-yearly Internet Security Threat Report released Monday.

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**Lyte** · 03-19-2007, 05:33 PM

See, I wouldn't have thought this cuz I'm always thinking of those bozo's sending emails from Nigeria or the Sudan. BUT, that's a whole 'nother type of naughty behavior! I guess the U.S. does have way more more techies that most countries so.... sounds logical!

Lyte

AngelArs · 03-20-2007, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercury

Researchers at Cupertino-based Symantec Corp.

Well this is the first reason why I wouldn't believe this report

**Lyte** · 03-20-2007, 04:57 PM

What do so many dislike Symantec Corp? Cupertino, CA is such a beautiful city!

Lyte

AngelArs · 03-21-2007, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyte

What do so many dislike Symantec Corp?

Because they are known for being con artist. Just because they are a company doesn't mean someone should give them more leeway than for a person who is found to be a con artist.

**Lyte** · 03-21-2007, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelArs

Because they are known for being con artist.

Give me more details. Every company has its detractors but "con artist?" How so?

Lyte

AngelArs · 03-21-2007, 06:30 PM

Several years ago they were caught making fake Mac viruses, and then telling the Mac community that only they could get rid of those (fake) viruses. Well duh! It sold a lot of software for them until the truth came out that they weren't even viruses. Then Symantec tried to back peddle but it was too late by then, the damage was already done to their so-called reputation

**Lyte** · 03-21-2007, 08:20 PM

Holy smokes! I hadn't heard that.

Well, here's a list of "Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites" that have or are pulling that same stunt!

Lyte

Mike Livsey · 03-21-2007, 08:49 PM

A view not aired in the article is that the USA has a very high density of PC's with internet access, and that these machines could be victim to trojans. This would mean a single indivdual from another country could be controlling a large number of PC's for their own ends. This would obviously make the data provided inacurate.

With the high rate of software piracy I would not like to guess how many US citizens have XP installed and are still on Service Pack 1!

DreamSync · 03-23-2007, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Livsey

A view not aired in the article is that the USA has a very high density of PC's with internet access, and that these machines could be victim to trojans. This would mean a single indivdual from another country could be controlling a large number of PC's for their own ends. This would obviously make the data provided inacurate.

With the high rate of software piracy I would not like to guess how many US citizens have XP installed and are still on Service Pack 1!

You know, I was thinking about that. I didn't get a chance to read the article, but as soon as I saw the title I started wondering if they were just talking about the real location of the individuals/groups doing the attacks, or as you mentioned, if they just dumped everything together(including trojan victims).

Since the article mentioned that the attacks "originate in the US", I was hoping it meant they corrected the statistics for those computers that were hikjacked by other individuals than the system's actual owner.