Data Thieves in Action

This book examines the practices of cybercriminals who steal and sell personal information acquired through various means, including mass data breaches, to engage in cybercrime and fraud. Using data from multiple English and Russian language web forums, the authors identify the range of products sold in these active on-line marketplaces and the prospective profits earned by these actors. The social organization of these markets is analysed using sociological theory to understand the sophistication of the markets. Social network analyses of therelational networks of participantsare also utilised to examine theirsophistication and structure. In doing so, this work will contribute to the development of cybercrime studies, and willappealto both social andcomputerscientists alike with an interest in the human aspects of cybercrime.