Malware industry worth more than Anti-malware

Author: Ryan Garside
Published: 18th December 2006
Comments (4) Stumble
Malware industry worth more than Anti-malware

Could Norton be one of the clients on the hacker auctioning scene?

Online market places, in which hackers auction off exploits and viruses, are making a considerable amount of money, a report from security researchers working for Tend Micro reveals.

Eweek reports that hackers are selling exploits of Windows Vista for anything in the region of $20,000 to $30,000, with some priced as high as $50,000. Raimund Genes, Trend Micro's chief technology officer, told Eweek:

"I think the malware industry is making more money than the anti-malware industry."

The report goes on to give a hacker's price list:

  • Custom Trojan designed to steal account information - $1,000 to $2,000
  • Botnet-building malware - $5,000 to $20,000
  • Credit Card Numbers & PINs - $500
  • Social Security Number, Address, Date of Birth - $80
  • Drivers License - $150
  • Birth Certificates - $150
  • Paypal or eBay account credentials - $7


The question of who is actually buying these viruses and exploits remains up in the air. What is interesting is the revelation of the existence of an eBay-a-like for hackers and their clients. Surely the only customers with enough money to pay these outrageous prices are anti-viral companies and software vendors like Microsoft.

Surprised by the prices? Give us your impressions in the forums.


Add recipient


Malware industry worth more than Anti-malware

Researchers at Trend Micro have discovered an eBay esque site where clients can buy exploits and viruses. Vista exploits are being sold for as high as $50,000!

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/bits/2006/12/18/Malware_industry_worth_more_than_Anti-malware/1


Dragonage