clipped from news.cnet.com

Behind the scenes of online fraud

Fraudsters aren't just targeting bank customers. They are also luring victims off social networks, where they harvest sensitive private information, and online gaming sites, where they steal accomplished avatars and accounts and sell them for money, Rivner says.

Online fraud tools have price tags just like any other software. For example, the Mpack Infection Kit costs $700, a Dream BotBuilder costs $500, and at just $350, the Limbo Trojan is practically a steal, according to Rivner.

For people who don't have the skills to install, run, and manage their own Trojans and other tools, fraudsters are offering fraud software as a service for $299 a month, "which means anyone can do it," he says.

While online attacks get the headlines, a bigger risk is from skimmers, fake faceplates for ATM machines that steal card data from the magnetic strip. The data is then used to make forged cards.