HUNCHED over a computer terminal in his pyjamas, "Frank" makes more money than a small-time drug dealer without ever having to worry about being caught or even leaving the house. Constantly covering his tracks via a complex web of internet servers, he is part of a global network of cyber thieves who together fleece billions of dollars from unsuspecting internet users every year - using little more than an internet connection, free software and some spare time. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he and other experienced hackers say banks' attempts to stamp out credit card theft are doomed due to the ease with which clients' computers can be compromised. In today's e-commerce world, you can have your bank details stolen just by visiting your favourite websites. Hackers use automated tools to scan websites for...
[read full story]