FBI's Cybers Most Wanted 1 IT-552 Human Factors in Security SNHU Claude A. Slone Prof. Rodney Royster 02/21/2024
FBI's Cybers Most Wanted 2 Introduction: In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, safeguarding websites against cybercrime is crucial. The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) is a primary federal statute in the United States for prosecuting cybercrime, including hacker. It covers unauthorized access to computers, obtaining national security information, and related extortionate crimes. The penalties can range from imprisonment (up to 10 to 20 years) for aggravated offenses to other specified penalties for non-aggravated offenses (McNicholas & Angle, 2023). Related Security Laws: The suspect under investigation within this paper is Maksim Viktorovich Yakubets. He is accused of hacking into tens of thousands of computers in both North America and Europe, resulting in actual financial losses in the tens of millions of dollars. He alleged hackers who infiltrated various websites and pilfered sensitive data for personal benefit, implicating two crucial security laws: which are the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The CFAA is a federal statute in the United States that criminalizes unauthorized access to computer systems. The DMCA addresses copyright protection in the digital realm. Both laws play a crucial role in maintaining the security and integrity of digital systems and protecting intellectual property rights (Legal Information Institute, (n.d.)).
FBI's Cybers Most Wanted 3 Crimes Committed: Maksim Viktorovich Yakubets, is accused of several crimes, which includes, Conspiracy to Commit Fraud, Wire Fraud, Bank Fraud, Intentional Damage to a Computer, by doing so he violated the CFAA. The stolen information was used to commit identity theft, where personal information of users was exploited for financial gain. He also led the Bugat/Cridex/Dridex malware conspiracy, overseeing its development, distribution, and infection. He also installed ransomware on victims' computers (FBI, 2019). Security Vulnerabilities Exploited: Maksim Viktorovich Yakubets exploited several security vulnerabilities to carry out his illegal activities. He took advance of his victims by using malware through phishing emails. These malicious emails tricked victims into downloading and executing malware on their computers. The malware he used was designed to capture online banking credentials. By stealing login information, he gained unauthorized access to victims' bank accounts. He used this ransomware to access personal bank accounts for his own personal gain (Lapienyte, 2022). Preventing Future Incidents: To prevent incidents like this from repeating, consider the following precautions: Thorough Incident Investigation, Secure the Scene, Identify Root Causes, Implement Corrective Actions, Human Factors Training, Stress Test Risk Controls, Regular Review and Inspection, Monitor Performance (Kilbourne & DeFrancesco, 2013). Keeping all software, including CMS and server software, up to date with the latest security patches is essential. These website administrators must regularly monitor software updates and promptly apply them to protect