Insider Techno-Crime: Is Your Company at Risk?

NEW YORK, NY… February 14, 2007...

Face it: You remember typewriters; your bright, quick, able and younger staff doesn’t. The big screen you grew up in front of was a TV; they dawdled over breakfast in front of a 21” computer monitor. The fact is they are light years ahead of you when it comes to using high technology. And some may even be using it to defraud your company. The sad fact is many victims of insider techno-crime do not even realize that information theft has taken place….until it is too late.

We love the social conceit of using a wireless laptop in public- if only to check our email. And iPODs and USB tokens have moved from their original entertainment purposes into the workplace. But innocently or intentionally, these devices are increasingly being used to destroy databases and other proprietary workplace documents. Here is a likely scenario for the unsuspecting party: the staffer is seldom without his iPOD USB token or laptop, often downloading files and taking them home to work on. But devices used for work and play can easily become infected with viruses, worms and Trojan horses downloaded from music, gaming and other entertainment websites. These are carried into the office, uploaded and suddenly, (especially if the company has been lax in keeping its virus detection software up-to-date) the company network grinds to a halt. Data, including passwords, databases, confidential employee information is often irretrievably lost.

Now let’s play the scenario over again to the same conclusion: Illicit technology use is on the rise in the workplace. And it is not likely to be the person with the degree in Technology who is to blame. Digital tools have become very easy to use. Hand-held devices called “Flash Drives” are often used to “steal” corporate data (and at the same time, could be infecting the entire system). Such devices have no cables, batteries nor require external power, yet are capable of storing more data than 90 floppy disks. Did you know that iPODs can function as external flash drives? They can serve as little warehouses storing potentially sensitive corporate information downloaded in plain sight and with the operator completely above suspicion.

With the popularity of laptops in the workplace as well as at home, joint use of both laptop and USB stick can be dangerous. By connecting the stick to the laptop, data is immediately exported. Kessler International, a firm specializing in computer forensics, suggests avoiding “innocent” transfer of viruses, etc., by locking the laptop for any media memory separate from the office USB stick.

And to safeguard against those instances of “illicit” document transfer, the installation of more comprehensive anti-virus and anti-spyware programs will “red flag” any Flash drive useage. Kessler notes that USB tokens are often stolen as their data is easily erased, and the token may be used over and over again. The Firm suggests investing in a higher level of network security that will erase all information on a USB drive if it has been stolen. Companies can reexamine and adapt their office policies regarding the use of iPODs in the workplace as well as disable the universal plug and play functions on office computers allowing only authorized devices to function.

Kessler International advises that if you suspect computer fraud in your workplace, to contact the Company immediately. Kessler is the leader in computer forensics and can take steps to obtain evidence of computer fraud as well as to safeguard your office against future attacks.

For more information about Kessler International, contact Michael Kessler at 1-800-932-2221 or visit the Kessler International website at www.investigation.com.