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The
Conversation U.S. has published its first investigation, “Heists
Worth Billions.” This is a collaboration between The
Conversation U.S. and Georgia State University’s
Evidence-Based Cybersecurity Research Group, directed by
Professor David Maimon.
The
research group develops techniques to improve cybersecurity by
studying online criminal networks and observing underground
markets. Two years ago, Maimon and his team saw a large number
of stolen checks flooding those markets. They then noticed the
marketing of drop accounts – bank accounts created by using
fictitious identities that money is “dropped” into – that can
be used for check fraud.
Criminals
rapidly figured out that an array of frauds could be
facilitated by drop accounts. Building on the research group’s
work, The Conversation investigated gangs that relied on,
purchased or sold drop accounts, identities, checks and other
materials to perpetrate their criminal activities.
The
joint investigation provides an unprecedented look into a
vast, secret enterprise that has stayed hidden in the darkest
reaches of the internet, and exposed the huge scale of
financial losses suffered by the public.
And
from our Australian edition some background articles on the
unfoldling Titanic submarine story:
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As
the clock ticks on the Titan sub, an expert explains what
safety features a submersible should have
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Why
the Titanic disaster continues
to enthral | 
