A piece on the Information Week site reports on how we might best undermine cyber crime.
A group of US academics have been studying the "underground market" in illicit data and cyber crime expertise, and they have reached some fascinating conclusions on how best to attack it.
Paradoxically, the market (which deals in stolen data, the latest malware, spamming capacity and expertise - in fact all things dark in cyber space) relies on trust and integrity - vendors and buyers do not meet, and have to rely on each other to deliver the goods or to pay for them. The business only thrives because deals are actually honoured, to the mutual advantage of those involved.
The study highlights this as a possible achilles heel, and suggests the good guys get into this market - offering goods and services, and placing orders - but that they should then fail to deliver, or pay as the case may be. The result would it is hoped be an erosion of trust and confidence among rogue traders and their clientele.
Nice thought - but before stiffing the Russian mafia, it might be wise to ensure :
(1) that your own net / identity security is up to the mark; and
(2) someone in law enforcement knows what you're up to - in case anyone monitoring the marketplace mistakes you for one of the bad guys.
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