14 DAY TRIAL // Lately we've seen a lot of attempts to exploit the virtual currency system, but now it seems as cybercriminals are even asking for ransom payments in Bitcoins and launching phishing expeditions in order to obtain access to accounts.
Bitcoin value has dropped a lot since recent events involving it, as hackers saw an easy opportunity of making money by using all sorts of mining viruses to solve blocks and illegally obtain what's not rightfully theirs.
Trend Micro analysts have recently discovered new means used by phishers to get a hold of Bitcoin accounts which they can empty without any difficulty.
The new method implies the creation of a website that resembles a great deal a legitimate transaction page for the virtual currency.
Mt. Gox, which is a very popular exchange site for Bitcoin, has been duplicated almost perfectly, fooling unsuspecting members into logging in with their credentials on the fake page, thus giving hackers access to their accounts.
The dummy website differs from the real one only in a very small way, as it doesn't warn users about phishing attacks, like the real one does and it tries to persuade them to log in, for reasons that are obvious.
To fully understand the implications of the virtual payment method in the world of virtual crimes, it seems that a webmaster recently received threats from a cybervillain saying that he will launch a DoS attack on his website unless he pays him 100 Bitcoins.
After seeing everything that had happened involving the payment system, it seems that if urgent measures will not be taken, the whole thing might meet its doom. There are far too many methods, far too accessible to anyone that expose Bitcoin systems, making them less valued and even less trusted.
For those who still rely on them, it is highly recommended they act with extreme precaution in order to avoid being duped.