Category: International

350-million-euro investment by the middle of the next decade to strengthen global semiconductor supply chain Global demand for chips for the automotive and consumer goods industries remains high. That is why Bosch is continuing to expand its semiconductor business. The company has now opened a new test center for chips and sensors in Penang, Malaysia, at a cost of some 65 million euros; it plans to invest a further 285 million euros at the site by the middle of the next decade. “With our new semiconductor test center in Penang, we are creating additional capacity within our worldwide manufacturing network to meet the continued high demand for chips and sensors,” said Dr. Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Bosch Board of Management, “Semiconductors are a decisive success factor for all Bosch business areas, and the expansion of this business is strategically very important.” Fully connected test center in Penang creates additional capacity for Bosch to meet continued growth in chip demand. Stefan Hartung said, “The expansion of our semiconductor business is strategically very important for Bosch.” New test center includes more than 18,000 square meters of clean rooms, office space, and R&D laboratories for up to 400 associates. Bosch continues to invest in its worldwide semiconductor manufact With our new semiconductor test center in Penang, we are creating additional capacity within our worldwide manufacturing network to meet the continued high demand for chips and sensors, said Dr. Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Bosch Board of Management. In total, Bosch has some 100,000 square meters of land available on Penang’s mainland strip. The new test center currently covers more than 18,000 square meters and includes clean rooms, office space, and laboratories for quality assurance and manufacturing. By the middle of the next decade, up to 400 associates will be working there. With the new factory and a total of 4,200 associates, Penang is now Bosch’s biggest location in Southeast Asia. Semiconductor manufacturing can basically be divided into two sections: frontend manufacturing and backend manufacturing. For the latter, Malaysia is an important hub in the global semiconductor supply chain. The country is estimated to cover around 13 percent of global backend manufacturing. According to official figures, in recent years the state of Penang has generated more than 5 percent of worldwide semiconductor revenue. “The new test center in Penang brings our manufacturing network closer to the companies that serve the further value chain of semiconductor manufacturing as well as to customers in this important Asian market. That shortens delivery times and routes, and it improves our competitiveness,” said Dr. Markus Heyn, Member of the Bosch Board of Management and Chairman of the Mobility Business Sector. The new Bosch test center receives funding from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority. One of the most cutting-edge test centers in Southeast Asia The frontend is where the actual circuits are attached and patterned on the wafers; at Bosch, for example, this work is currently performed in the clean rooms of the wafer fabs in Reutlingen and Dresden. The backend is where the individual chips are then separated from the wafers, assembled, and tested. Bosch currently carries out most of the final testing of its semiconductors in Reutlingen, Germany; Suzhou, China; and Hatvan, Hungary. Those locations will now be joined by the new test center in Penang, Malaysia. The fully connected plant is one of the most advanced semiconductor test centers in Southeast Asia. Here, Bosch will immediately begin testing semiconductors that the company manufactures at its frontend in Dresden, among other locations. “Our new test center in Penang completes our internal process chain, especially for semiconductors from Dresden,” Heyn said. Bosch invests further in chip business Bosch is pursuing a global growth strategy with its semiconductor business. Over the next three years, the company plans to invest some three billion euros in Dresden and Reutlingen, both as part of its own investment plan and under the auspices of the European IPCEI ME/ CT (Important Project of Common European Interest on Microelectronics and Communication Technologies) funding program. Following its expected acquisition of part of the business of TSI Semiconductors, based in Roseville, California, which is expected before the end of the year, Bosch plans to invest roughly an additional 1.4 billion euros in retooling the fab to support the latest manufacturing processes for silicon carbide semiconductors.  

Apartment security is always an incredibly demanding security scenario. People need not just security around their home, but a better residential experience with it. Built on a system of security, we offer an innovative entry & exit experience to boost rush hour efficiency for both residents and walk-in visitors. Also, AI-empowered video security stands like a reassuring guard 24/7. Hikvision’s Solution by Scenario for Apartments helps users enjoy a safer and more pleasant living experience at a minimal cost with reliable delivery and performance. Vehicle Entrance & Exit challenges Physical ID check at the entries and exits can be inconvenient and time-consuming during rush hours, and difficult to trace back for incident investigation. Busy hour congestion and difficulty in retrieving records A hands-free, authenticated drive-through system elevates the residential experience and boosts rush hour efficiency with easy-to-retrieve records – also enhancing security management. Benefits Secure and efficient vehicle egress Hands-free, non-stop, authenticated drive through. Support for block-list alarm/ VIP notification. Operational efficiency boost Easy-to-retrieve records via ‘fuzzy’ license plate match. Automated alarm push in case of block-list vehicle and full parking area. Simple, adaptable deployment Card and video intercom in one unit. Adaptable in scenarios with or without attendant booth. Features Authenticated vehicle access using ANPR or ID card. Support for granting access remotely via video intercom. Vehicle records and parking statistics reports. LED display of available spaces and other parking info. Benefits Boost operational efficiency for vehicle management Easy-to-retrieve vehicle records via ‘fuzzy’ license plate match. Trackable charging history and reports help prevent loss and manage account payments. Features Vehicle records. Parking charge and account management. Statistical reports of E&E traffic, parking, and fee status.  

Global security company, Gallagher, is celebrating a double win for its Broadcast Notifications and Lockdown solutions, both of which were awarded Gold at the 2023 Secure Campus Awards. These wins bring Gallagher’s total Secure Campus Awards to four, having previously been recognized by judges for Mobile Connect in 2022 and Security Health Check in 2020. Gallagher’s Broadcast Notifications and Lockdown solutions were developed with campus safety in mind and enable rapid and reliable responses to emergencies. Designed to work together or as standalone features, both solutions ensure that when seconds count, people, places, and assets can be protected quickly. Broadcast Notifications comes standard in Gallagher’s integrated security solution, Command Centre, and allows campus administrators to immediately distribute critical information and instructions to preconfigured recipient lists by email, text message (SMS), or the Gallagher Mobile Connect App. Gallagher’s Lockdown feature was created as a response to immediate safety threats on campus and restricts movement while creating protected safe spaces. When the Lockdown override is in place, only cardholders belonging to a designated access group with the Lockdown privilege – like security guards, first aid providers, or emergency coordinators – will be granted access, ensuring no unauthorized people can enter designated zones while still allowing anyone to exit. Working together, these features round out Gallagher’s Lockdown Solution. The moment a Lockdown override is enacted, pre-configured Broadcast Notifications can be distributed to notify that an event has taken place, communicate instructions, and contact emergency services for help. Sirens and alarms can be activated to run, and reports can be generated and emailed to designated people or printers that detail information such as the last known location of every cardholder in a zone on site, saving time and reducing potential human error when under pressure. Executive Vice President of the Americas, Scott Elliott, sees these wins as confirmation of the people-first intent behind Gallagher Security’s campus solutions. He said, “Although we hope no one ever needs to use these features, we know it’s critical for organizations to be prepared and have plans in place for emergencies. With that necessity in mind, we’re honored to be recognized by the Secure Campus Awards for how our solutions are helping to create peace of mind for campuses across the country. Gallagher Security puts people at the heart of everything we do, and these awards are an excellent acknowledgement of that purpose.” The Secure Campus Awards are hosted annually by Campus Security and Life Safety to honor outstanding campus security products and services. This year’s awards recognize campus security solutions in 25 categories, including access control software, artificial intelligence, communications devices, cybersecurity, fire/ life safety, video surveillance hardware and software, and more.  

The newly introduced AX PRO alarm product line has the Wireless External Wireless Triple Signal Detector and (optional) dedicated camera module. This powerful intruder detection system provides a better image, more precise detection, and a handy modular design – all working to enhance alarm system capabilities for both homeowners and small businesses. Tapping into the industry trend of using external passive infrared (PIR) detectors for video verification, the detector protects a property with innovative technology for precise detection and video verification. Wireless Triple Signal Detector innovation reduces false alarms In these scenarios, false alarms are often triggered by anything from bad weather to leaves or branches to pets. The answer to dealing with these is to be able to identify them and ignore them as ‘non-threats.’ As its name suggests, a Wireless Triple Signal Detector uses three sensors – a PIR sensor at the top, a microwave sensor, and another PIR sensor at the bottom. This means that it can detect at various heights, with a 15m and 90° adjustable detection area, more precisely identifying what is actually triggering the alarm. Patented Independent Floating Threshold (IFT) technology allows the detectors to adjust their thresholds based on the environment infrared and background noise automatically and dynamically. This essentially reduces false alarms caused by background noise interference. The detector uses digital temperature compensation to automatically adjust the alarm threshold according to environment. This also means it is much more resilient in bad weather conditions, and enables consistent detection throughout. Any successful security systems is subject to attempts to overcome it. One of these is ‘masking,’ where a potential criminal ‘covers’ the sensor(s), for example with a spray. The AX PRO device uses active IR anti-masking – the detector can initiate a mask-processing sequence to check whether it has been masked or not. The ‘operator’ receives an alarm and can act accordingly. And there’s more The optional camera module provides GIF verification, allowing the ‘operator’ to see an image of an ‘incident’ for visual verification. The module has a 2.0mm lens with adjustable angle and can provide up to 20 images with VGA/ QVGA/ QQVGA formats. Other features include: Pet immunity up to 40kg. Waterproof to IP65 standard. Automatic sensitivity. Easy to install and cost-effective, with no power/ network cables needed. In a market where accurate intruder alerting is exploding and verification is becoming more important, the Wireless Triple Signal Detector can provide an innovative solution in a wide range of scenarios.  

New guidance seeks to cultivate trust in AI technologies and promote AI innovation while mitigating risk The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released its Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0), a guidance document for voluntary use by organizations designing, developing, deploying or using AI systems to help manage the many risks of AI technologies. The AI RMF follows a direction from Congress for NIST to develop the framework and was produced in close collaboration with the private and public sectors. It is intended to adapt to the AI landscape as technologies continue to develop, and to be used by organizations in varying degrees and capacities so that society can benefit from AI technologies while also being protected from its potential harms. “This voluntary framework will help develop and deploy AI technologies in ways that enable the United States, other nations and organizations to enhance AI trustworthiness while managing risks based on our democratic values,” said Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves, “It should accelerate AI innovation and growth while advancing – rather than restricting or damaging – civil rights, civil liberties and equity for all.” Compared with traditional software, AI poses a number of different risks. AI systems are trained on data that can change over time, sometimes significantly and unexpectedly, affecting the systems in ways that can be difficult to understand. These systems are also ‘socio-technical’ in nature, meaning they are influenced by societal dynamics and human behavior. AI risks can emerge from the complex interplay of these technical and societal factors, affecting people’s lives in situations ranging from their experiences with online chatbots to the results of job and loan applications. The framework equips organizations to think about AI and risk differently. It promotes a change in institutional culture, encouraging organizations to approach AI with a new perspective – including how to think about, communicate, measure and monitor AI risks and its potential positive and negative impacts. The new framework should “accelerate AI innovation and growth while advancing – rather than restricting or damaging – civil rights, civil liberties and equity for all,” said Deputy Commerce Secretary, Don Graves. The AI RMF provides a flexible, structured and measurable process that will enable organizations to address AI risks. Following this process for managing AI risks can maximize the benefits of AI technologies while reducing the likelihood of negative impacts to individuals, groups, communities, organizations and society. The framework is part of NIST’s larger effort to cultivate trust in AI technologies – necessary if the technology is to be accepted widely by society, according to Under Secretary for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio. “The AI Risk Management Framework can help companies and other organizations in any sector and any size to jump-start or enhance their AI risk management approaches,” Locascio said, “It offers a new way to integrate responsible practices and actionable guidance to operationalize trustworthy and responsible AI. We expect the AI RMF to help drive development of best practices and standards.” The AI RMF is divided into two parts. The first part discusses how organizations can frame the risks related to AI and outlines the characteristics of trustworthy AI systems. The second part, the core of the framework, describes four specific functions – govern, map, measure and manage – to help organizations address the risks of AI systems in practice. These functions can be applied in context-specific use cases and at any stages of the AI life cycle. Working closely with the private and public sectors, NIST has been developing the AI RMF for 18 months. The document reflects about 400 sets of formal comments NIST received from more than 240 different organizations on draft versions of the framework. NIST today released statements from some of the organizations that have already committed to use or promote the framework. The agency also today released a companion voluntary AI RMF Playbook, which suggests ways to navigate and use the framework. NIST plans to work with the AI community to update the framework periodically and welcomes suggestions for additions and improvements to the playbook at any time. Comments received by the end of February 2023 will be included in an updated version of the playbook to be released in spring 2023. In addition, NIST plans to launch a Trustworthy and Responsible AI Resource Center to help organizations put the AI RMF 1.0 into practice. The agency encourages organizations to develop and share profiles of how they would put it to use in their specific contexts. NIST is committed to continuing its work with companies, civil society, government agencies, universities and others to develop additional guidance. The agency today issued a roadmap for that work. The framework is part of NIST’s broad and growing portfolio of AI-related work that includes fundamental and applied research along with a focus on measurement and evaluation, technical standards, and contributions to AI policy  

Landmark projects across Middle East are taking advantage of eFusion’s expanding ecosystem Maxxess was at Intersec showcasing the extended ecosystem of integrations now available with its eFusion access control and integrated security management platform, as well as the latest, powerful functionality available with its eVisitor visitor management solution. Visitors to Digifort stand also learnt about the run of recent major integration projects taking advantage of the technology, including high-end hotels, landmark mixed-use developments, and major corporate and industrial sites. eFusion, now widely used in industrial settings, the hospitality sector, and mixed-use developments, is a feature-rich platform that allows seamless off-the-shelf integration with more than 60 leading technologies. These include video surveillance, fire and building management systems, as well as site specific applications and hardware. Expanding customers’ choice to a wider range of VMS and camera brands managed through the eFusion interface, new integrations will include the full suite Digifort’s of video management as well as the latest facial recognition technology. Recent major projects taking advantage of eFusion’s modular building block approach include the Jumeirah Al Marsa hotel and harbour development, the multi-use Wasl Tower, Bluewaters Island including the Ain in Dubai, and the Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refinery (YasRef) in Saudi Arabia. eFusion’s transparent price structure ensures affordability but gives users a level of power and functionality previously only associated with more expensive, tailored solutions. “By bringing together previously siloed systems, eFusion users can leverage operational efficiency by removing the need for operators to continually switch between screens and interfaces,” said Lee Copland, Managing Director EMEA, Maxxess, “This allows busy operational teams and control room managers to focus on priority tasks rather than having to juggle with disparate technologies.” Meanwhile, he added that eVisitor’s growing popularity is due to its successful focus on enabling frictionless and touchless access to premises, increasing efficiency and security, while removing the inconveniences for visitors, staff, and contractors typically encounter when accessing car parking and facilities. “eVisitor integrates with multiple systems and popular corporate databases, including Assa Abloy Hospitality and Microsoft Active Directory, and facilitates hassle-free time and attendance management to further eliminate the inefficiencies of siloed systems and technology stacks,” Lee concluded.  

Established in 1923, the Organization has expanded from a group of 20 national representatives to a membership comprising nearly every country in the world The world’s largest policing organization is officially marking its 100 year anniversary, celebrating a century of international police cooperation. The International Criminal Police Commission, as INTERPOL was originally called, was founded in 1923 at a police congress in Vienna, Austria that brought together representatives from 20 countries. Taking place in a post-war context of geopolitical upheaval and concerns of rising international crime, representatives agreed that only through collaboration could police combat transnational crime threats – a goal shared throughout periods of political or economic tension. Convened directly by police officials, the Vienna Congress established the foundational principles that continue to guide INTERPOL’s work today – a focus on practical tools to help law enforcement fight crime beyond their borders and a commitment to neutrality. “While the world has undergone profound transformations in the past century, INTERPOL’s founding principles are as relevant in today’s context as they were back in 1923,” Secretary General Jürgen Stock said, “The tools and technologies we use to support police in our member countries have of course developed dramatically – from telegraphic codes to I-24/7, our secure police network; from fingerprints to facial recognition. Today, we are again in a period of global disruption fueled by ever-increasing digitalization and geopolitical flux. The need for robust international police cooperation is stronger than ever.” A short video released by INTERPOL to mark its 100 year anniversary highlights the breadth of issues the Organization’s work now encompasses – including environmental crime, illicit trade in pharmaceuticals and forensic analysis – turning the vision of a small group in 1920s Vienna into a sweeping multi-generational mission. 250 searches per second Over the past century, INTERPOL has become one of the most widely recognized organizations in the world, though its exact role is sometimes less well understood. Far from pop culture images of ‘INTERPOL agents’ swooping into various countries as a sort of supranational police force, the reality is that powers of arrest and seizure remain solely with national law enforcement. Rather, INTERPOL allows police to address crime that extends beyond their national borders by sharing and accessing data across the Organization’s 195 member countries, as well as leveraging a range of technical and operational support. Today’s context, where crime is more global than ever before and criminals increasingly operate in ‘borderless’ online spaces, has furthered INTERPOL’s operational relevance to law enforcement. On average, police search INTERPOL databases more than 20 million times a day – 250 searches per second. Return to Vienna Throughout the year, the INTERPOL General Secretariat and its member countries will host events and launch activities to commemorate the anniversary. The centennial events will culminate in Vienna as the city once again plays host to INTERPOL, welcoming police leaders from 195 countries for the Organization’s 91st General Assembly. 2023 will also mark the first year that the world celebrates the United Nations (UN) designated International Day of Police Cooperation set on 7 September, the day the International Criminal Police Commission was established. Adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2022, the UN day recognizes the central role played by the world’s law enforcement community in global security and the need to further strengthen international cooperation to prevent and combat transnational crime and terrorism.  

With the advancement of technology to a new level, the application fields of security equipment have been widely expanded. Dahua Technology, a world-leading video-centric AIoT solution and service provider, actively supports the sustainable development of human and nature through its tech for good initiatives, and constantly brings positive impacts to the communities where it operates. Children’s charity donations Dahua has been advocating for a better world for every child as well as their families. Every year, Dahua presents kind donations to various outstanding children’s charities around the world. This year, Dahua Australia proudly supports Starlight Children’s Foundation, an Australia-based nonprofit organization that offers vital services for ill and hospitalized children. Dahua has made both direct donation and a program that allows the employees, customers and partners of the company to make donations which will be matched dollar for dollar by Dahua Australia. “The work Starlight does to bring happiness to sick kids is only made possible by the generosity of the community, so we’re incredibly appreciative of Dahua’s support,” said Kirsty Beed, Starlight Children’s Foundation NSW’s Partnerships Manager. Donations of advanced security equipment to educational and social organizations Dahua also believes on the importance of education and how it can contribute to the betterment of the society. The company has donated a number of its intelligent products to several educational institutions and social organizations around the world that create significant impact on their communities. Dahua Iberia has donated one DeepHub smart interactive whiteboard to Centro de Educación Especial Los Álamos, a special education school located in Madrid. It enables them to personalize their activities related to adaptive skills, allowing them to improve and offer necessary support for their students with intellectual disabilities. Moreover, in partnership with CS Sécurité in Montréal, Dahua jointly donated a new access control system for Marie-Vincent Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Montréal, Canada that is committed to supporting children, adolescents, and families by providing specialized counseling and intervention. The donated Dahua equipment significantly transformed the security of the entire center in terms of better access management and clear video surveillance footages. In addition, Dahua UK & Ireland donated cutting edge surveillance products and solutions to Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Belfast Metropolitan College in order to equip them with the latest technology and optimize their monitoring operations as they continue to serve their communities. Environmental protection and sustainability Aside from its charitable donations, Dahua has also been actively engaged in developing intelligent solutions to aid scientific explorations and to promote sustainability through its own environmental initiatives. Dahua entered the Antarctic region for the first time by donating 15 intelligent devices to different local scientific bases, providing clear images of the flora and fauna in the Argentine region of Antarctica that are beneficial in the research studies conducted in ‘The White Continent.’ The Dongting Lake project greatly shows how Dahua’s intelligent fishery management solution helps curb illegal fishing and other illegal activities. Dahua’s intelligent monitoring solutions were also applied in protecting the weltland ecosystem in Yangtze River that is home for various fish species and other aquatic animals. An intelligent forest fire prevention system was also implemented in the mountainous region of Rizhao (China) to realize automatic early warning of fire, real-time fire control and closedloop response through digital intelligence technology. Furthermore, Dahua carries out a wide range of sustainability strategies that includes reduction of its CO2 emissions to help achieve carbon neutrality. It also makes unremitting efforts to combat plastic pollution and reduce waste disposal costs by implementing high quality, eco-friendly, and sustainable packaging solutions. One of the company’s recent initiatives is the upgrading of its IPC and HDCVI product packaging with plastic-free materials. Dahua Technology will continue to actively support organizations around the world that help people in need and utilize digital intelligence technologies to contribute to a safer society and smarter living.  

Tenable®, the exposure management company, recently published the results of a global study that revealed that cybersecurity is the top consideration as businesses decide on investing in the metaverse. In fact, even in a challenging global economy, concerns about macroeconomic conditions trailed behind cybersecurity worries. This sentiment underscores the rising criticality of cybersecurity in a digital economy to ensure it is a safe and secure environment for users. The study, ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once: Meta-curious Organizations Relay Security Concerns Even as They Plunge Into Virtual Worlds,’ surveyed 1,500 IT, cybersecurity and DevOps professionals in Australia, the U.K. and U.S. The study examines how organizations are approaching the opportunities and challenges associated with building, securing and participating in the metaverse, as well as offering insights into the risks and rewards of investing in this new technology. While still in its relative infancy, organizations have begun to explore the metaverse and its capabilities. In fact 23% of organizations have already ventured into the metaverse, and 58% plan to conduct business in the metaverse within the next year. Less than half of respondents feel very confident in their ability to curb threats in this new environment, the metaverse poses both new and legacy cybersecurity risks and challenges. According to survey respondents, threats that are either ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ likely to take place in the metaverse include: Conventional phishing, malware and ransomware attacks (81%). Compromised machine identities and API transactions (84%). Cloning of voice and facial features and hijacking video recordings using Avatars (79%). Invisible-avatar eavesdropping or ‘man in the room’ attacks (78%). In addition to the cybersecurity threats, respondents identified several major barriers to entry, including the prospect of security breaches and identity theft (34%), the lack of a clear process for data privacy (33%) and the lack of experienced security professionals to secure the metaverse (32%). “As with any new business opportunity, first movers have the advantage and the risk,” said Bob Huber, Chief Security Officer and Head of Research, Tenable, “The foundation of the cybersecurity program must be solid before making a big leap into largely unknown territory and drastically expanding your attack surface. Forward- thinking organizations that take the time and make wise investments in their security personnel and the security and integrity of their infrastructure are more likely to be successful in the metaverse or any other technology investment.” Other key findings from the report include: 87% of respondents are in favor of regulating the metaverse. Nine in 10 respondents agree that organizations need to adequately develop a cybersecurity framework prior to offering services in such a virtual environment. More than half (55%) of respondents said their organization will need to invest in training their current employees about safe cybersecurity practices to support their investment in the metaverse. When asked about the skills required for the metaverse, respondents cited UI/ UX designing, 3D modeling, blockchain and gaming development, cybersecurity and software development as important development areas.  

Sophos, a global company in innovating and delivering cybersecurity as a service, recently revealed details of how it tracked down the likely culprit behind more than 20 fake criminal marketplaces designed to con cyberscammers in part three of Sophos’ series, ‘The Scammers Who Scam Scammers on Cybercrime Forums.’ After stumbling upon a surface website mimicking the real criminal underground site Genesis, Sophos researchers further uncovered the 20 fake marketplaces dating back to August 2021. All of the fake sites appeared to be run by a scammer who uses the handle ‘waltcranston,’ a likely riff on the television show ‘Breaking Bad.’ “While investigating this huge sub-economy of scammers scamming other scammers, we examined about 600 scams of varying types. Out of all the scams investigated, this operation stood out for its sheer scope and intricacy. The scammer advertises the fake marketplaces on Reddit and replicates not just Genesis, which was the first scam site we ran across, but numerous other prominent or defunct marketplaces, such as Benumb, UniCC, and PoisOn. While at a technical level these scam sites are not sophisticated, the scam operation has been highly successful. In fact, seven of these fake sites are still active, and, to date, the cryptocurrency wallets associated with the scams have received at least $132,000,” said Matt Wixey, Senior Threat Researcher, Sophos. All 20 of the fake sites followed a similar scheme. Criminals were offered a chance to activate an account on the fraudulent version of a dark web marketplace with $100. The criminals expected their $100 would be deposited in either Bitcoin or Monero, and they would receive activation credentials. However, as part of the scam, once the criminals paid, their account would never activate. One common denominator among the 20 fake sites was a link to a website called darknet[.]markets – a site that lists dark web criminal marketplaces for visitors interested in drugs sales, carding, and cryptocurrency exchanges. This site ultimately led Sophos to a criminal forum called Café Dread – and a user going by the name of waltcranston. “We started searching Dread for any mentions of the marketplaces mentioned on the darknet markets, and we found multiple posts by the handle waltcranston talking about dark web marketplaces, as well as discussing how to scam people and recommending other users set up phishing sites. His own website, which sells meth, also shared some similarities with the fake marketplaces. We even found posts by Dread users who fell for the scam websites, and accusations by a Dread user that waltcranston was the culprit behind the scheme. While we can’t be 100% certain that those behind the handle waltcranston is indeed the culprit, there is strong circumstantial evidence. The entire operation and our investigation is an example of how much rich intelligence there is about cybercriminals hidden in these scams against other scammers, which the security community can leverage to help develop stronger defenses,” said Wixey.