Cybercrime

Spear-phishing attacks on energy companies are becoming increasingly sophisticated, an expert has warned - and all it takes is one lucky strike to cause devastating damage to the power grid, or to companies which supply oil and gas.

Small businesses will be able to buy “cyber assurance” packages to protect against possible losses from cyber attacks - with a British insurance firm offering packages starting at £500 ($800).

An “identity theft service” which specialises in selling personal details gained access to some of the biggest consumer data firms, including Lexis Nexis and Kroll - and has had access to their computer systems “for months”. Stars such as Beyonce (pictured) had personal details leaked.

Yahoo! recently began recycling “inactive” user accounts, in an effort to woo new customers - but some customers who have acquired these "second-hand" email addresses say they are receiving a “bonus” of personal information relating to the old owners.

Cybercriminals are switching tactics, a leading security body has warned - and the combination of anonymisation technologies, mobile devices, and social media attacks could lead to cyberattacks with a “large impact”.

A hacked card reader - similar to the ones used in shops and restaurants - is on sale on Russian forums for $2,000, and can "text" details including PIN numbers to cybercriminals, who empty bank accounts in three hours using teams of money-launderers.

A breach which has leaked personal data for two million Vodafone Germany customers has ben claimed to be the work of an insider, according to Vodafone.

Keylogging tools to steal personal information from victims are available as a “service” from a site known as PrivateRecovery, which offers the tools for just $25 to $33 a month, according to a list of leaked records seen by researcher Brian Krebs.