Cybercrime, Drug Dealing And Made Up Statistics
from the say-what-now? dept
A few weeks ago, there was a story making the rounds that plenty of people were talking about. The headline was just too good for many to pass up: Cybercrime pays off more than drug trafficking. Of course reading through the article you realize that the "security expert" who made the statement didn't seem to give any proof to back up the statement, and now lots of people are questioning the claim, saying that no matter how you do the math, it doesn't seem to add up. Of course, part of the problem is that it's pretty difficult to add up the numbers in any realistic way. However, how likely is it that for years now we'll see the phrase "cybercrime is bigger than drug dealing" quoted as fact by lazy reporters (and people pitching security companies)?
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
on the spot
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: on the spot
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: on the spot
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: on the spot
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
OMG! Piracy is everywhere!
The Adobe PDF has special features
Click on the Picture Tasks button in this tookbar to activate tools for working with pictures in this document:
- Export, edit, and save pictures
- Create slideshows with your favourites
- Share pictures online and order high-quality prints
[ ]Don't show again [OK]
W00t! It says "Share pictures online". Their own PDF is encouraging piracy.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
The penalties are not as severe...
--
Texas Concealed Handgun License Courses in Plano, TX
The 2nd amendment isn't about duck hunting.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: The penalties are not as severe...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: The penalties are not as severe...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Freakonomics
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Freakonomics
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
It just piles up
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
The difference between the bottom and the top.
In drug dealing, one man isn't gonna be able to do alot.
At the top of the drug chain, there is alot of money sloshing about. There isn't the same sorrta 'provider' structure in cybercrime. Rings, yes...just like in drugs. But 'a cybercrime lord'? Only in the movies or cartoons.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: The difference between the bottom and the top.
And cybercrime lords do exist, they're just called crime lords. They outsource [not necessarily india] to technically inclined people and there are plenty of news articles about major busts and the shift towards online crime to support it. It's not just one guy trying to get your bank account to transfer his fathers millions from Nigeria before the government siezes it (just one example, which can make a surprising amount of money.)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: The difference between the bottom and the top.
I can dream, can't I??
[ link to this | view in chronology ]