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Identifier

000463773

Title

The evolution of cybercrime through the lens of cryptocurrencies

Alternative Title

Η εξέλιξη του κυβερνοεγκλήματος μέσω της ανάλυσης κρυπτονομισμάτων

Author

Αρακάς, Ιωάννης Γ.

Thesis advisor

Μαρκάτος, Ευάγγελος

Reviewer

Τζίτζικας, Ιωάννης
Μαγκούτης, Κωνσταντίνος

Abstract

In the face of escalating cyber threats such as ransomware attacks, internet scams, and email extortions on a global scale, accurately estimating the overall damage remains a daunting challenge. The diversity in the forms and currencies involved in these cybercrimes complicates efforts to comprehend the full extent of the inflicted harm. Existing reporting mechanisms primarily shed light on incidents disclosed by victims, leaving a substantial number of attacks and pilfered funds unaccounted for. The cybersecurity landscape hosts numerous Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) and Blockchain Threat Intelligence Platforms, yet their isolated operations contribute to a fragmented data landscape. This fragmentation hinders a holistic understanding of potential threats, exacerbated by major platforms like Chainalysis withholding data from public access. The resultant lack of integration and limited accessibility to data from key players pose significant barriers to accurately assessing the scope and severity of security incidents. Remarkably, a notable proportion of these cybercrimes unfolds within blockchain environments. Paradoxically, criminals’ attempts to conceal identities often unveil critical information. By tracing attackers’ wallet addresses, a comprehensive time- line of the crime emerges, from inception to the dispersal of ill-gotten funds. This methodology facilitates quantifying the scale of the crime in cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, with the potential for conversion to conventional currencies. Crucially, it enables the comprehensive tracking of all funds amassed by attackers, regardless of official reporting. Motivated by these challenges and opportunities, we have developed a system that systematically collects, processes, and visualizes public datasets. This approach enhances the understanding and assessment of the impact of cybercrimes, particularly within blockchain realms, addressing the current limitations in estimating the overall damage caused by these sophisticated threats.

Language

English

Subject

Bitcoin

Blockchain

Chain

Κρυπτονομίσματα

Κυβερνοέγκλημα

Issue date

2024-03-22

Collection

School/Department--School of Sciences and Engineering--Department of Computer Science--Post-graduate theses