Recent incidents of hacking by teen-agers and stolen credit card numbers have left the private and public sectors fearing the security of its technology infrastructure. This is a prime example of one of the three trends driving the growing number of reported computer intrusions, according to the Infrastructure Protection and Computer Intrusion Squad, a field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. First, an increasing number of juveniles are getting past security barriers. Second, employees, former employees or contractors break into their own company's computers. Finally, hackers are proving more sophisticated and more difficult to track than ever.
Attackers often break into systems through holes in the software.
Software developers usually prove quick to realize these glitches and create patches. However, clients often don't hear about the patches in a timely manner. Hackers simply type in random passwords and gain access to employee accounts. Then the cybercriminal downloads customer and other proprietary information. Often the hacker contacts company management and threatens blackmail.