Dark Market

Dark Market: Guarding Against
Organized Cyber Crooks

by Paul Davis

Learn how you can protect your business from cybercrooks.

According to Newsweek and other media sources the FBI is investigating the possibility that a foreign entity hacked into the computer systems of both the Obama and McCain campaigns.

Computer hacking isn't just for nerdy kids anymore. Crooks and spies are using the Internet to commit crimes against American businesses and to attack government networks -- and they are becoming more sophisticated.
These cyber attacks not only impact the economy, they also threaten national security, noted Shawn Henry, the recently appointed Assistant Director of the FBI's Cyber Division. Henry said that the FBI has thousands of open cases dealing with cyber crime.
But thankfully the FBI closed out one major case last month that netted 56 cyber criminals worldwide and prevented $70 million in potential losses.
"Dark Market" was a two-year undercover cyber operation that pursued a vast criminal cyber network that created an Internet forum where the crooks bought and sold stolen financial data that included credit card information, login credentials like users names and passwords, and electronic equipment used to commit financial crimes.
According to the FBI the cyber crooks numbered more than 2,500. They believed they were operating in a protected cyber environment due to their selective membership and vetting process.
But as FBI special agent Joe Pistone -- aka "Donnie Brasco" -- was once able to penetrate a secretive New York organized crime family, another undercover FBI agent infiltrated this cyber criminal gang. He became a trusted member and even became one of the group's site administrators.
"What's worked for us in taking down spy rings and entire mob families over the years -- embedding an undercover agent deep within a criminal organization -- worked beautifully in taking down Dark Market," said Henry.
Calling himself "Master Splyntr," the undercover FBI agent said that Dark Market was like an exclusive club for cyber crooks. The site was a meeting place for getting advice and brokering deals. The agent saw millions of dollars being exchanged, but the FBI and their overseas law enforcement partners were able to prevent the losses by tipping off the potential victims.
Score one for the good guys. But other cyber threats remain.
"The business of the United States is done on the Internet," Henry told reporters last month. "And the information that flows electronically 24/7 is increasingly the target of not only identity thieves and scammers, but also organized crime groups, terrorists and overseas governments. The malicious activity has become much more prevalent."
Henry said the malicious activity comes in the form of attacks that deny access to websites, compromises sensitive information, or produces "botnets" that spread viruses and covertly co-opts computers to carry out data theft.
New groups of hackers, what Henry called virtual gangs, are banding together to pool their expertise and carry out coordinated cyber attacks. And these cyber crooks don't even have to meet, or be in the same country.
The FBI is forcefully attacking the problem, as Dark Market illustrates. And you too can make a difference, the FBI says, by protecting your home and business systems with these basic steps:
Keep Your Firewall Turned On: A firewall helps protect your computer from hackers who might try to gain access to crash it, delete information, or even steal passwords or other sensitive information.
Install or Update Your Anti-Virus Software: Anti-virus software is designed to prevent malicious software programs from embedding on your computer.
Install or Update Your Anti-Spyware Technology: Spyware is just what it sounds like -- software that is surreptitiously installed on your computer to let others peer into your activities on the computer.
Keep Your Operating System Up to Date: Computer operating systems are periodically updated to stay in tune with technology requirements and to fix security holes.
Be Careful What You Download: Carelessly downloading e-mail attachments can circumvent event the most vigilant anti-virus software. Never open an attachment from someone you don't know, and be wary of forwarded attachments from people you do know.
Turn Off Your Computer: With the growth of high-speed Internet connections, many opt to leave their computers on and ready for action. The downside is that being "always on"

How best to promote SFI

How best to promote SFI to prospects who have no experience with online business?

6977 votes

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Manohar Mattu, STL* (India) 4/7/2015 7:36 pm

Affiliate since: 12/18/2011, Power Rank: 394

Dear Kolawole

Great question, as we not only target online customers but also off-line customers who have no experience with online business. Lets start with TripleClicks products. First of all you need to buy few products (mostly health promoting products) for yourself and start using them.

Explain the advantages and experience you gained by using these products to your friends, neighbors who do not have experience with online business. Help them get registered in SFI and TC. Visit them daily to help them. No body was a born with online experience. One needs to start one day and learn it slowly slowly.

As these affiliates are your neighbors or friends, you can teach them online business. You can teach them online marketing. Once they become little comfortable with working with SFI they will start moving of their own. You can leave them now independently.

Now take up next group of such people a repeat the process. This way you can best promote SFI to prospects who have no experience with online business? Experience is nothing but continuous practice of any thing.

Hope it helps
Wishing you all the best……..

Attracting traffic to your website

Basically there are two methods of attracting big traffic to my SFI website:
PAID TRAFFIC and FREE TRAFFIC
Let us first dwell upon paid traffic. There are hundreds of websites that will display your link of SFI website on paying them a fixed amount of money for a certain period of time. These websites include:
Facebook
Linkedin
Rediff.com
Neobux
ClixSense
Google Adwords
News Papers
Magazines
TV etc.
The other method to attract traffic to your SFI website is through FREE adverising. Free advertising is carried out through following means:
Traffic Exchanges
Safe Lists
CraigList
OLX
Traffic Ad Exchanges.
Social Media like
Twitter
Facebook
Linkedin etc.
Hope it helps
Have a nice day !!

Rejecting as a "malicious campaign" media reports suggesting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may be replaced by his party soon, the Congress on Monday night said there is "no doubt" that he will continue till 2014.
The party also dismissed reports about differences between Dr Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi and claimed that the two shared a "perfect" relationship.
"No new decision has been taken about this issue in any other manner. The party has repeated its position more than once. We had said it before the 2009 Lok Sabha elections -- that Manmohan Singh will be our prime minister," AICC General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi said.

Dark Ages

The Middle Ages (adjectival forms: medieval, mediaeval, and mediæval) is the period of European history encompassing the 5th to the 15th centuries, normally marked from the collapse of the Western Roman Empire (the end of Classical Antiquity) until the beginning of the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery, the periods which ushered in the Modern Era. The mediaeval period thus is the mid-time of the traditional division of Western history into Classical, Medieval, and Modern periods; moreover, the Middle Ages usually is divided into the Early Middle Ages, the High Middle Ages, and the Late Middle Ages.
In the Early Middle Ages, depopulation, deurbanization, and barbarian invasions, begun in Late Antiquity, continued apace. The barbarian invaders formed new kingdoms in the remains of the Western Roman Empire. In the 7th century North Africa and the Middle East, once part of the Eastern Roman Empire, became an Islamic Empire after conquest by Muhammad's successors. Although there were substantial changes in society and political structures, the break with Antiquity was not complete, because most of the new kingdoms incorporated many of the extant Roman institutions; while monasteries were founded as Christianity expanded in western Europe. In the 7th and 8th centuries, the Franks, under the Carolingian dynasty, established an empire covering much of western Europe; the Carolingian Empire endured until the 9th century, when it succumbed to the pressures of invasion — the Vikings from the north; the Magyars from the east, and the Saracens from the south.
During the High Middle Ages, which began after AD 1000, the population of Europe increased greatly as technological and agricultural innovations allowed trade to flourish and crop yields to increase. Manorialism — the organization of peasants into villages that owed rent and labor services to the nobles; and feudalism — the political structure whereby knights and lower-status nobles owed military service to their overlords, in return for the right to rent from lands and manors - were two of the ways society was organized in the High Middle Ages. Kingdoms became more centralized after the breakup of the Carolingian Empire. The Crusades, first preached in 1095, were military attempts, by western European Christians, to regain control of the Middle Eastern Holy Land from the Muslims, and succeeded long enough to establish Christian states in the Near East. Intellectual life was marked by scholasticism and the founding of universities; and the building of Gothic cathedrals, which was one of the outstanding artistic achievements of the High Middle Ages.
The Late Middle Ages were marked by difficulties and calamities, such as famine, plague, and war, which much diminished the population of western Europe; in the four years from 1347 through 1350, the Black Death killed approximately a third of the European population. Controversy, heresy, and schism within the Church paralleled the warfare between states, the civil war, and peasant revolts occurring in the kingdoms. Cultural and technological developments transformed European society, concluding the Late Middle Age and beginning the Early Modern period.

Ramdan or Ramzan

Chapter 2, Revelation 185 of the Quran states:

The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, a number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful.^{[Quran 2:185]}

Thus, according to the Quran, Muhammad first received revelations in the lunar month of Ramadan. Therefore, the month of Ramadan is considered to be the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar, the recording of which began with the Hijra.

Beginning of Ramadan

Hilāl (the crescent) is typically a day (or more) after the astronomical new moon. Since the new moon indicates the beginning of the new month, Muslims can usually safely estimate the beginning of Ramadan.^[14] However, to many Muslims, this is not in accordance with authenticated Hadiths stating that visual confirmation per region is recommended. The consistent variations of a day have existed since the time of Muhammad.^[15]

Practices during Ramadan

Fasting

Main article: Sawm

In the Quran
The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down - right guidance to mankind, and clear signs of guidance and distinction of truth from falsehood. Those among you who witness it, let him fast therein. Whoever is sick or on a journey, then a number of other days. God desires ease for you, and desires not hardship. Thus may you fulfill the number of days assigned, magnify God for having guided you, and perhaps you will be thankful.

Ayah 185, Sura 2 (Al-Baqara), translation by Tarif Khalidi See: ^[16]

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual intercourse among spouses is allowed after one has ended the daily fast. During fasting, intercourse is prohibited as well as eating and drinking, and resistance of all temptations is encouraged. Purity of both thoughts and actions is important. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul and free it from harmful impurities. Ramadan also teaches Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control,^[17] sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity (Zakat).^[18]
It becomes compulsory for Muslims to start fasting when they reach puberty, so long as they are healthy, sane and have no disabilities or illnesses. The elderly, the chronically ill, and the mentally ill are exempt from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. Also exempt are pregnant women if they believe it would be harmful to them or the unborn baby, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns. A difference of opinion exists among Islamic scholars as to whether this last group must make up the days they miss at a later date, or feed poor people as a recompense for days missed.^[19] While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood, many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Fasting is not necessary for women going through menstrual bleeding.^[20] Also, those traveling (musaafir) are exempt, but must make up the days they miss.^[21] More specifically, Twelver Shī‘ah define those who travel more than 14 mi (23 km) in a day are exempt.^[18]
Each day before dawn, a pre-fast meal called Suhoor is eaten. This meal is mentioned in the Sunnah, which is a collection of actions executed by Muhammad during his lifetime that set an example for Muslims. The meal typically consists of breakfast fare such as eggs and salads; little or no salt is used in preparation to avoid thirst during the upcoming fast.^[22]

Health effects

A team of cardiologists in the UAE found that people observing Ramadan enjoy a positive effect on their lipid profile, which means there is a reduction of cholesterol in the blood.^[23]

Iftar

Main article: Iftar

Iftar in Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul,Turkey

At sunset, families gather for the fast-breaking meal known as Iftar. The meal starts with the eating of one or more (usually three) dates – just as Muhammad used to do. Following that, Muslims adjourn for the Maghrib prayer, the fourth of the five daily prayers, after which the main meal is served.^[24]
In the Middle East, the Iftar meal consists of water, juices, dates, salads and appetizers, one or more entrees, and dessert. Typical entrees are "lamb stewed with wheat berries, lamb kebabs with grilled vegetables, or roast chicken served with chickpea-studded rice pilaf". A rich dessert such as baklava or kunafeh ("a buttery, syrup-sweetened kadaifi noodle pastry filled with cheese") concludes the meal.^[22]
Over time, Iftar has grown into banquet festivals. This is a time of fellowship with families, friends and surrounding communities, but may also occupy larger spaces at mosques or banquet halls for 100 or more diners.^[25]

Charity

Main articles: Zakat and Sadaqa

Charity is very important in Islam, and even more so during Ramadan. Zakat, often translated as "the poor-rate", is obligatory as one of the pillars of Islam; a fixed percentage required to be given by those with savings. Sadaqa is voluntary charity in given above and beyond what is required from the obligation of zakat. Muslims believe that all good deeds are more handsomely rewarded in Ramadan than in any other month of the year. Consequently, many will choose this time to give a larger portion, if not all, of the zakat for which they are obligated to give. In addition, many will also use this time to give a larger portion of sadaqa in order to maximize the reward they believe will await them on the Day of Judgment.
In many Muslim countries, it is not uncommon to see people giving more food to the poor and the homeless, and even to see large public areas for the poor to come and break their fast. It is said that if a person helps a fasting person to break their fast, then they receive a reward for that fast, without diminishing the reward that the fasting person got for their fast.^{[citation needed]}
Even in non-Muslim countries, no matter how small the Muslim population, a consistent increase in charitable donations to both fellows Muslims and non-Muslims occurs more so in this month. In the USA, for example, many Muslim communities dispersed throughout the country, participate in contributing food, clothes and non-perishable food items to local charities.^{[citation needed]}

Increased prayer and recitation of the Quran

In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Quran by means of special prayers, called Tarawih, which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Quran (Juz', which is 1/30 of the Quran) is recited. Therefore the entire Quran would be completed at the end of the month. However it is not required to read the whole Quran in the Salatul Tarawih.
Ramadan is also a time when Muslims are mandated to slow down from worldly affairs and focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment; this is to establish a link between themselves and God through prayer, supplication, charity, good deeds, kindness and helping others. Since it is a festival of giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special foods and buy gifts for their family and friends and for giving to the poor and needy who cannot afford it; this can involve buying new clothes, shoes and other items of need. There is also a social aspect involving the preparation of special foods and inviting people for Iftar, the break-the-fast meal after sunset.