We tend to talk about the cyber underground as a single place.
However, underground cyber markets are often regionally based and focused, like many legitimate organizations.
And there are new warning signs now of cybercriminal sophistication coming from the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA).
Our SecureWorld team just finished reviewing the new Trend Micro study, "Cash and Communication: New Trends in the Middle East and North Africa Underground," and we discovered how this community for cybercriminals is rapidly maturing.
The study noticed these dramatic shifts over the last year:
"Saudi Arabia and UAE are committed to creating smart cities across the country. UAE’s Roads and Transport Authority has already started using autonomous vehicles in certain districts this February. Also, Qatar launched an initiative to develop smart infrastructure in time for the 2022 World Cup."
The report also found one thing that has not changed in the MENA cyber underground space—and it is something common in most black markets around the globe.
Hackers and cybercriminals travel on the cheap.
"... cybercriminals run this business by offering services paid for using stolen credit cards and hacked loyalty program accounts... Most of the travel discounts offered are for flights and hotels starting at 30% off the original price."
While the travel market hasn't changed much for cybercriminals, the MENA underground cybermarket continues to mature in other ways to make the battle against cybercrime broader and more difficult to combat.