/24-7PressRelease/ - Boston, MA, June 06, 2005 - (IDTheftSecurity.com) New scams continue to beset the Internet. According to a Boston, Mass-based security expert, the emergence of a new rendition on ransomware demonstrates how criminals remain a step ahead of the public's awareness.
Ransomware steals data from computers. It then employs encryption, a technology typically—and ironically—for the security of online activity, to disallow victims from regaining their personal information until they pay a ransom.
"What's maddening about ransomware is the way it steals personal information by using a technology that's also the backbone of Internet users' security," said Robert Siciliano, a nationally televised and quoted authority on personal security and identity theft. Siciliano is author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and an upcoming book, "Identity Theft Pandemic: Curing the Identity Theft Virus."
"This is not an original ruse," Siciliano continued. "The concept behind ransomware is nothing new, and many have attempted it. But the latest iteration is the first to utilize an automated program as the vessel."
Exploiting a vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer, a malicious site that the unsuspecting user visits downloads and runs code, a Trojan Horse, to the compromised computer. This downloader then connects to another Web site, which downloads, renames, and runs an encoding application that performs a series of actions to steal the victim's personal information.
"The problem with ransomware is not with the security response," said Siciliano. "Officials are familiar with this ploy, a favorite of savvy computer coders, and automation adds no significant hurdles for security response."
"Ransomware's victims, however, probably haven't heard of the scam, just as most people had not heard of phishing until recently," Siciliano continued. "The problem is in the awareness—or lack thereof."
"The consumer learning curve will give ransomware perpetrators the time they need to do damage," Siciliano added. "Yet another scam threatens to dissuade people from participating in ecommerce.
Siciliano concluded, "The computer, banking, and retail industries need to develop and implement a major initiative to educate current and potential customers on how to be safe and secure online."
Siciliano provides consumer education solutions to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. He has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show." Siciliano also leads personal safety and security seminars nationwide.
Siciliano can be reached at 1 (888) SICILIANO (742-4542). The URL http://www.idtheftsecurity.com leads to his Web site. His blog is available at http://www.IDTheftSecurity.blogspot.com.
Siciliano's contact information follows:
Robert Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
E-MAIL: Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly. They may also contact:
Brent W. Skinner
STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
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