Internet Changes Everything

UK Net Boffins Targeted

Sky News: Net Crime Gangs Using 'KGB Tactics'

Updated: 08:56, Friday December 08, 2006

Internet crime gangs are using "KGB-style" recruitment tactics to snare talented computer students from British universities.

Security technology company McAfee also said children as young as 14 are being drawn into cybercrime by the promise of "celebrity status" among their peers.

The company's second annual report on internet organised crime included input from the FBI and European hi-tech crime units.

It suggested gangs were approaching top students and graduates from leading academic institutions to provide vital IT skills.

These tactics echo those of Russia's KGB and other countries' intelligence agencies during the Cold War.

"Cybercriminals are actively approaching students and graduates of IT technology courses to recruit a fresh wealth of cyber skill to their ranks," said the report.

It indicated cybercrime had won a "cult" following among hackers, with some online offenders reaching almost celebrity status.

McAfee security analyst Greg Day said: "Cybercrime is no longer in its infancy, it is big business."

December 8, 2006 at 10:45 PM in Online crime | Permalink | Top of page | Blog Home