A former cybercriminal, known as ‘Harry,’ has issued a warning about the risks children face online by sharing his own experience of falling into scams at the age of 12. In his early years, Harry engaged in harmful activities to make some extra money, resorting to tricking computer gamers out of thousands of pounds. Now in his twenties, Harry regrets his past actions and emphasizes the need for protective measures to shield children from such dark practices. Reflecting on his former mindset, Harry admits that he didn’t think much of it back then, even using the money he earned to treat his friends. However, with the increasing virtual fixation of children today, he stresses the importance of safeguarding their online experiences.
Harry highlights the danger of DarkComet RATS (Remote Access Trojans), explaining that it is relatively easy for kids to download this type of software, allowing them to gain control of a target computer and steal sensitive information such as passwords and usernames. He candidly admits feeling remorseful after realizing that the victims of his scams were other children. Though it may be slightly more challenging to carry out scams like his today, Harry asserts that the risk to kids remains significant.
Harry’s first scam occurred out of anger when another player stole a valuable virtual weapon from him while they were playing the game Counter-Strike. Seeking revenge, he replicated the scam by deceiving someone else. Initially, he faced little success, but as he honed his skills, he became more convincing. Throughout his early teenage years, Harry estimates that he scammed over 100 people, with his largest earnings totaling £700 ($895) at once. He achieved this by fabricating fake PayPal transactions and receiving endorsements from his friends to appear trustworthy.
Apart from scamming, Harry also delved into hacking forums, experimenting with viruses. He admits that, at the time, it required minimal technical knowledge, making it extremely accessible even for amateurs. Harry recounts an instance where he created an undetectable virus disguised as explicit pictures, targeting unsuspecting individuals through chat platforms.
Based on his experiences, Harry advises parents to ensure their children’s devices are equipped with reliable antivirus software and ad blockers. He acknowledges the surge in in-game item prices, which has attracted a substantial number of new players, including children, some of whom fall victim to scams promoted through platforms like TikTok. While platforms like TikTok take a strict stance against fraud and scams, security expert Jake Moore warns that these problems persist and that the perpetrators may become even younger over time. He urges the inclusion of prevention measures and continuous education on cybersecurity in school curricula to protect children from falling victim to online crime.
Malvertising, a form of malicious advertising, poses a significant threat to individuals and businesses. These deceptive advertisements are designed to install harmful code on users’ devices, allowing criminals to gain control and inflict damage. This highlights the importance of reliable cybersecurity measures to combat such threats effectively.
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