A European hacker broke
into a U.S. company’s computer network and stole 1,400 credit card numbers,
account holders’ names and addresses, and security codes. The hacker, nicknamed
Poxxie, sold the stolen credit card data to other cyber criminals through his
own website, CVV2s.in, for $3.50 per credit card.
The malicious software or virus cyber criminals used in
these hacker attacks are often known as “sniffer” software used to
intercept credit and debit card numbers.
“Sniffer” software or “malware” malicious software, acts like a virus
attaching itself to a network and often spreading. The software allows the
criminal hacker backdoor access to all the data in the server and provides
remote control functionality.
Other
hacker attacks targeting credit card processors are called “spear phishing”.
When an employee receives a spear phishing email and clicks the link, a program
beings to download disabling the company’s anti-virus and defeating all network security measures.
This is why one must never click links in the body of an email. There are
hardly ever links in emails that can’t be worked around either in the favorite
menus or via manually typing in the browser.
Protecting small
business customer credit card data starts with PCI Compliance and
basic network security tips including:
Software: Antivirus, anti-phishing, antispyware. Total protection “all access”
suites of protection and full disk encryption
Hardware: Routers, firewall security appliances
Physical security: Commercial grade solid core doors, security
alarm systems, security cameras.
Email Security: NEVER click links in an email of a person
or company you are unfamiliar with or have not requested information from. It’s
shear laziness, naiveté or foolishness when someone clicks links in the body of
an email from an unfamiliar address.
Ethical hackers: Get yourself and ethical hacker to test
your network and see what damage he can do before the bad guy does.
Robert
Siciliano personal and small business security specialist to ADT Small Business Security discussing on Fox News. Disclosures
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