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Criminals targeting eBay have stepped up their cyber offensive by sending spoof e-mails embedded with key logging software to the auctioneer’s most trusted customers. The new spate of attacks are thought to originate from gangs in Russia and Eastern Europe, and work by trapping the keystrokes and log in details of eBay users. Once a computer is infected by a key-logger, typically sent in an e-mail, criminals can log on to the breached account and use it fraudulently. According to the Times, the problem is now so prevalent that the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit is investigating the gangs, also credited with masterminding similar phishing scams during 2004. EBay has since been hit by “matrix auctions,” where ‘sellers’ advertise expensive gadgets and once cash is deposited, deliver simply the information on how and where to obtain them. Users to the site’s electronic payment system, Pay Pal, have likewise been duped in the marketplace, with many having passwords stolen just so criminals can ‘inter-trade’ items using someone else’s account. This is understood to be even more frustrating for customers, as funds are typically noticed to be missing only after the transaction is complete. The NHTCU said such crimes are difficult to investigate as the two trading criminal parties have documentation to prove a genuine transaction took place. According to consumer watchdog Which?, there are an average of 200 fraudulent transactions on eBay every day, with criminals selling defective or non-existent goods. However, eBay is concentrating on the bigger picture of its service and claims to be providing “one of the safest places in the world to trade.” The group insist that its two billion successful transactions between complete strangers across the globe, is a testament to the safety of the auction site. Meanwhile, they said over 1,000 professionals at eBay and PayPal, many of which are skilled in law enforcement and computer engineering, are dedicated to ensuring the highest security standards. Jan 18, 2005 Email this article Printer friendly page Previous Page
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