Phishing - A Profitable Pastime?

Good afternoon,

I hope you are all well!

Finally, after my return to work last Monday (10th), I have managed to drag Mr Downey away from the 'blogging' seat and have wrested from him the 'blogging pen'!!

No kidding either - the man is simply a blogaholic! He tells me however that he's been called worse - and I can certainly vouch for that!!

Anyway, what a week it's been, what with the Rising Star final and the Northern Rock turmoils - I'm not sure which one will have the greater impact on the future of UK banking!

I read today that internet crime has become a major commercial activity, (according to a leading computer security company - obviously I'm not allowed to advertise, but the first initial of the company is "S", the last initial is "C" and they produce Norton Anti Virus). The report said cyber crime had become increasingly professional and was now a multi-billion dollar industry.

Apparently, the underground economy has its own auction sites and marketplaces that sell valuable data such as credit card numbers and bank accounts. They even sell toolkits for novice cyber criminals who lack technical know-how to craft their own attacks. There were 212,101 new threats reported during the first six months of 2007

In fact, three phishing toolkits were behind 42% of all phishing attacks seen by in the first six months of 2007. Often, said the computer security company, these targeted attacks were aimed at the customers of smaller financial institutions, e.g. credit unions and small banks that do not have the people and resources to fight off the attacks.

So you have been warned!

What I'd like to know is this. What about all these mails I keep getting? In particular, can I reply via this blog to two I have just received?

Kermit Gore Re: Your Zoc0r 0rder #9182534

Sorry Kermit, but I didn't order any Zoc0r's so you must have the wrong person.

joseph Gerstl Re:dioyhory

Mr Gersti, Your use of the English language, or indeed any other language, is quite frankly appalling. Please get in touch again when you have mastered the basics.


Sorry about that little rant, folks, and for using this important communication vehicle for my personal use. Oh, no! Here comes Downey for the 'blogging pen' - Aaaaarrrggghhh - he's almost got it from me!

Speak to you soon - must go!!.

Raymond