The Industry Of Hacking: Understanding The Business Behind Cybercrime

Cybercrime is big business with some hackers making massive annual profits. With the world being so dependent on technology, cybercriminals have loads of opportunities. There are many different tactics that these criminals use to exploit people and make money. 

The industry of hacking is an expanding field, with different methods and crimes taking place all over the world. While it may be a risky business, it can really pay off for successful hackers.

Common Methods Of Cybercrime

With the world being so present online, cybercriminals have a wide range of opportunities available. The first thing that any cybercriminals need is victims. They can find these victims through a number of different methods. 

Spam

Spam is a classic technique for cybercrime. This may be a bit of an outdated method, thanks to the wide range of defensive technology that internet users now have. However, spam messages are still pretty common.

Phishing

Phishing is another common technique, where hackers target victims via email. They pretend to be trusted sources, such as banks, in order to access data and information from their victims. Phishing is also frequently done on social media sites, where innocent users are targeted. This can also include sharing unsafe links for people to click on.

Malware

Malware, or viruses, are used to target people’s devices. Infecting people’s systems with viruses can present solid possibilities for cybercrime. 

Blackhat SEO

Blackhat SEO is a technique used by cybercriminals to get their dangerous sites ranking highly on search engine results. This is done through manipulating the search engines, allowing for their sites to be easily accessed. 

Making Money Through Hacking

Once cybercriminals have gotten through to their victims, and have access to valuable data, there are several ways they can use to make money. 

Ransomware has become a common method used, where hackers can block servers, files, or computers until a fee is paid. 

In addition to ransomware, some other popular methods of extorting money from people include:

• Stealing login details, banking details, and valuable information
• Implementing specialized banking malware
• Premium rate SMS fraud
• Pay-per-click fraud
• Selling products that either don’t exist or are fraudulent

High earning cybercriminals can earn somewhere in the neighbourhood of $2 million per year, while entry-level hackers can still generate an income of $42,000+. Cybercrime is a lucrative business, and there are plenty of opportunities for criminals to make money within this arena. 

Final Thoughts

Hacking has become a lucrative business for those with skills. When done successfully, it can really pay off. Protecting your data is essential as  the business of hacking continues to expand and cybercriminals get better at finding victims. To learn more on how to protect your business against hackers, reach out to one of our MicroAge locations.