Cybercrime-As-a-Service Takes Off

pnorth writes "Malware writers that sell toolkits online for as little as $400 will now configure and host the attacks as a service for another $50, according to email offers cited by security experts. A technical account manager at authentication firm Vasco said that cyber crime is becoming so business-like that online offerings of malicious code often include support and maintenance services. He said 'it was inevitable that services would be sold to people who bought the malware toolkits but didn't know how to configure them. Not only can you buy configuration as a service now, you can have the malware operated for you, too.'"

Comments

Rooted.

[Anonymous Coward]

First.aaaa/

Someone should tell this story

[Anonymous Coward]

I know, troll me, but I'm desperate to get the word out. Friends told me that Direct TV was crooked but I thought I checked into everthing. I ordered a package at a special rate of 49.99 for 12 months (in tiny print they say based on "other" things). They are charging me $84.99 a month and won't let me out of the agreememnt. They say I had to sign up for "paperless" electronic billing prior to my service being activated. I ordered the service and while the guy was here installing it, I signed for paperless. What a bunch of crap. They also told me I had to have the special adaptors for network access at $25.00 each. Guess what they were. Powerline ethernet adaptors. So, I told him I didn't need it and he said that ther were 3 on my account and that I should just keep them as he couldnt take them back from me. Mind you never opened or used. So.. I'm out 75 for that, 34.99 a month x 12 months. Oh and ANYONE THINKING OF DIRECT TV BEWARE- THE BOX YOU "BUY" AT COSTCO IS NOT YOURS!!! THAT 2 OR 3 HUNDRED DOLLARS YOU JUST SPENT IS AN "UP FRONT" LEASE FEE! Basically, this country is setup for corporations to run you. If you don't givre them whatever they want, they can, and will, ruin your credit. Yes, you have recourse. Spend countless hours trying to fight them with litigation and tell you the truth, they are covered somewhere/somehow. Telling the true story and being trolled for it, on a forum like this really is the only way I can think of to do ANYTHING about this BS.

Re:Someone should tell this story

[easyTree]

[IANAL] You need to realise that a contract is an agreement between two parties. If you claim that they tricked you into agreeing to stuff you weren't aware of, the contract is invalid and you are free.

Inform them in advance, by letter (registered delivery, so you can demonstrate at a later date that they've received your letter) of your position then stop paying them the excess to which you didn't agree.

If they threaten to take you to court, take them up on their offer then if you are asked to go to court, explain in detail how they have abused your trust.

I've been through something similar with T-Mobile. I followed the procedure above; they sent me perhaps five letters over the course of six months threatening me with court action. Each time I replied to tell them that I'd be happy to attend court to detail their dodgy business practices; I haven't heard from them for six months now.

Contracts are there to protect both parties, not as a tool to allow corporations to trick consumers then bind them to compliance.

Once again, IANAL.

Re:Someone should tell this story

[phantomfive]

Telling the true story and being trolled for it, on a forum like this really is the only way I can think of to do ANYTHING about this BS.

Then you are not being creative enough. Here is a much better place to complain about it. Basically, all TV providers will give you trouble. Just do what I do and stop watching TV. :)

Uhhhhhh....MODS! Mod parent down!

[Anonymous Coward]

This guy has no clue what he is talking about. I am a private investigator and not only through my training but in my experience, I know this to not the case.