Malware Gangs Run Ads To Hire New Coders

An anonymous reader writes "Think crime doesn't pay? Think again: an increasingly common sight on underground cybercrime forums are ads paid for by malware writers who are looking to hire talented new programmers. The most common ads are for 'crypters' designed to disguise known malware, and 'Web injects,' plug-ins made to run alongside crime kits like ZeuS and SpyEye. Salaries range from $2,000 to $5,000 monthly, health benefits not included."

And why would I trust them to actually pay?

[Kenja]

I mean, the cut in salary aside, why would I trust them to not bounce my pay check and then go "hire" someone else after taking the code I wrote? Its not like they come across as all that trustworthy and I'd be in no position to pursue legal action as I was hired to do something illegal. At least with traditional crime I can just shoot people who double cross me.

Re:What are the requirements???

[Anonymous Coward]

If you are willing to post on a public forum that is likely tied to your personal email, or additionally in this case; one which can be subpoenaed for your IP address, you do not meet the requirements.

Re:And why would I trust them to actually pay?

[hedwards]

To be honest, the bigger issue would be getting busted while they get off free. I doubt very much that they'd fail to pay the money that they promise for work. They're criminals, but that doesn't mean that they'd be dumb enough to short change the person writing their code.

Plus, what makes you think that cybercriminals are any less apt to violence than regular ones? If they're able to pay you, they're able to find you, and if they can find you then they could hire somebody to dispatch you if you so chose. Organized crime is organized crime, the internetiness of it all doesn't change that.