Wanted: Hackers-for-hire

The market for hiring computer hackers is growing, as the price for hacking tools is on the decline, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Citing a report from security firm Dell SecureWorks, the WSJ report says malware is becoming cheaper to use and offers cybercriminals low barriers to entry to steal information. As part of that, hackers are offering their services to steal information from people online.

For example, the report found hackers may charge $129 to steal personal emails from individuals using email servers like Google or Yahoo. Hackers can also purchase tutorials on how to send phishing emails for between $20 and $40, according to the report.

This "hacker-for-hire" market is worrisome for law-enforcement officials and organizations that handle sensitive data, as seen recently in the healthcare industry with ransowmare attacks and malware that have shut down hospital information technology systems.

More articles on hackers:

3 updates on MedStar Health's malware event
To pay or not to pay ransom: A tale of two hospitals
Apple controversy spurs hackers to try to break into iPhone

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