Rise of non-tech hackers: new era of cyber threats

By Thy An March 30, 2024 | 03:00 pm PT

Cybercrimes have recently been on the increase as service platforms that allow newbie actors to hack without technical knowledge, marking a significant shift in the threat landscape shared by cybersecurity experts.

Cybercrime-as-a-service: a new business model

Cyberthreats such as ransomware, phishing attacks, and scams have been around for decades. The world is now entering a new era of the cybercrime revolution: cybercrime-as-a-service, including phishing-as-a-service (PaaS, or PHaaS), scam-as-a-service (SaaS).

This game-changer model, believe it or not, opens the door for everyone to commit cybercrime in a much easier and more affordable way.

Hackers are now "selling" their expertise and tools on black marketplaces, making it easier for non-tech criminals to access these sophisticated techniques, thereby increasing the potential risks for individuals and organizations.

"Everyone, even non-techies, can gain access to the tools available on GitHub, a kind of open-source community, to become a hacker," said Hieu PC on a podcast called Into the Cyberverse.

Hieu PC, a former hacker and identity thief, is now a security expert working for National Cyber Security Center of Vietnam and cooperating with many tech giants such as Apple, Google.

He established the Vietnamese non-profit initiative ChongLuaDao (Scam Fighters).

Hieu PC sharing on a podcast called Into The Cyberverse. Photo courtesy of VinCSS

According to Hieu PC, non-hackers can purchase fake bank accounts or any kind of stolen personal information on the black market to commit identity theft, like stealing money or making fraudulent purchases.

"With just US$2 per day, or even for free, everyone can become a hacker," he said.

New cybercrime methods cause not only financial loss but also mental harm. Hieu PC shared diverse case studies involving romance scams, fake jobs, and fake investments that had serious consequences.

Deepfake: the future fear

According to experts, deepfake technology is one of the most dangerous cyber threats and remains a future fear as it continues to advance.

The technology allows for the creation of highly realistic fake videos and audio recordings, making it difficult to discern what is real or not.

Deepfake phishing and fraud have increased by 31 times in 2023, a 3,000% increase year-on-year, according to the Onfido report.

And all this, surprisingly, for a very cheap price. Hieu PC said the Deepfake technology can be sold at a low cost, ranging from US$20–50 per month.

As hackers become more sophisticated, it's imperative for users to adopt a heightened level of online security. That's why the Into the Cyberverse podcast series comes into play as a pioneer in the realm of cybersecurity, featuring insightful discussion and thought leadership advice.

Hieu PC (R) at Into The Cyberverse sharing session. Photo courtesy of VinCSS

"It's vital to raise awareness of cybersecurity as we have been active a lot on social platforms, and we put a lot of personal information online," Hieu PC said.

Hieu PC’s podcast offers valuable insights on how individuals and organizations can effectively protect themselves against the ever-evolving landscape of cyberattacks and scams.

The audience will be equipped with useful tips on verifying information and implementing the safest authentication methods to secure their accounts.

Watch "Into the Cyberverse" here.