A source for internet credit card fraud has been uncovered by internet security firm Finjan.
The website, that traded under the title 'SellCVV2' was a worldwide criminal database that offered buyers the chance to purchase credit card details stolen from thousands of credit card clients. Prices of data purchase depended on the value of the credit limit involved.
Website purchasers were even offered loyalty offers akin to supermarket schemes for products bought in bulk. Prices for cards ranged from £19 for a small number of premium cards such as Amex Gold or Platinum, through to as little as £5 for basic classic Visa or Mastercard details.
It is believed that internet spyware and 'Trojan' software are behind the pilfering. Trojan software acts as a virus that installs itself unawares on a users machine and once online purchases are made, credit card numbers can be traced by tracking key presses.
Web 2.0 technology, which allowed secure data exchange of information is believed to have allowed thieves to exchange such data undetected.
Yuval Ben-Itzhak, a chief information officer at Finjan said: "Web 2.0 services play a major role in the market today, but although they are good for people in that it promotes safe-sharing, this also allows bad guys to store malicious code."
He added that online businesses should keep security upto date if they wished to keep the faith of consumers, who continue to set record levels for online buying.
|