Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Face it:  You remember typewriters; your bright, quick, able and younger staff doesn’t.  The big screen you grew up in front of was a TV; they dawdled over breakfast in front of a 21” computer monitor. The fact is they are light years ahead of you when it comes to using high technology.  And some may even be using it to defraud your company.  The sad fact is many victims of insider techno-crime do not even realize that information theft has taken place….until it is too late.

Read the full article: http://www.investigation.com/press/press56.htm

Posted by Blog Admin in • Computer Forensics
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Friday, February 09, 2007

Chinese Professor “Bests” Fifth Data Encryption Algorithm

Now that we have your attention, let’s hear that again, in English this time!  A 41-year old Chinese college professor at the University of Beijing has cracked the world’s toughest computer encryption program, the SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm).  For those of you who slept in the back of class, the SHA-1 is the U.S. Government’s most advanced data encryption program.  This action has apparently tasked the Government’s highest level programmers with replacing this now faulty program within the next five years. 

Whoa!  Cracking the code, however, doesn’t mean that it is open season for the “bad guys”.  The odds were truly stacked against Professor Wang Xiaoyun in the first place- about equivalent to wining Powerball several times!  A Beijing Digest has indicated that this SHA-1 encryption incorporates the world’s highest security Message-Digest algorithm 5 (MD5). Before Professor Wang cracked it, the MD5 could only be deciphered by the fastest exhisting supercomputer processing in excess of a million years.

So how did the Professor do it?  Although encryption analysis usually cannot be done without the use of computers, according to Wang, the computer only assisted in cracking the algorithm. Most of the time, Wang Xiaoyun calculated manually, and manually designed the methods.

Postscript:  Few corporations, if any, would have to be concerned about a mind of Wang Xiaoyun’s caliber hacking into their databases.  Alas, most computer fraud is perpetrated by employees of average intellect.  Kessler International is the leader in abating and preventing Cyber crime.  Learn how to safeguard your business from the commonplace hazard of Cyber crime, at: http://www.investigation.com/computer_forensics.htm

Posted by Blog Admin in • Computer Forensics
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Thursday, February 08, 2007

The phrase “White Collar Crime” has been around so long that few remember when the working world was divided into office workers who wore suits with starched and pressed white shirts, and laborers and tradesmen who favored denim overalls and rumpled blue chambray shirts.  The term was coined during the ‘Great Depression’ of the 1930s by a sociologist, a Dr. Sutherland.  The scientist (betraying his bias) sought to distinguish crimes committed by poor (blue collar), therefore desperate persons, from offenses committed by those enjoying a higher station in life. Although not clearly defined, the term today generally encompasses a variety of nonviolent crimes usually committed in business situations for financial gain.

While White Collar Crime is considered “victimless” it is not without cost.  According to the FBI, White Collar Crime in the United States alone amounts to more than $300 billion annually.

The most common White Collar offenses include: antitrust violations, computer and Internet fraud, credit card fraud, phone and telemarketing fraud, bankruptcy fraud, healthcare fraud, environmental law violations, insurance fraud, mail fraud, government fraud, tax evasion, securities fraud, insider trading, bribery, kickbacks, counterfeiting, money laundering, embezzlement and trade secret theft.

White Collar criminal activity can be the work of one “lone wolf” defendant, or a network of perpetrators, often within an organization. The penalties for white-collar offenses can be restrictive or require imprisonment and include fines, home detention, paying prosecution costs, forfeitures, restitution, and supervised release.

The FBI, the Internal Revenue Service, the Secret Service, U.S. Customs, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, participate in the enforcement of federal white-collar crime legislation. In addition, most states employ their own agencies to enforce white-collar crime laws at the state level.

Often, prior to involving the Federal authorities, business owners or individuals who suspect they are the victims of White Collar Crime, usually contact a Forensic Investigative firm to perform discreet computer forensic and forensic accounting procedures.  Once court-admissible evidence is obtained, the Federal agencies are contacted.

Kessler International is the leading authority on investigating and curtailing White Collar Crime. For nearly 20 years, Team Kessler maintained its global leadership in forensic accounting, computer forensics, and many other practice capabilities.  For more information about Kessler International and the services we provide, contact Michael G. Kessler at 1-800-932-2221 or visit the Kessler International website at www.investigation.com.

See also: Practice Capabilities:
http://www.investigation.com/money_laundering.htm

http://www.investigation.com/trademark_search.htm

http://www.investigation.com/copyshield.htm

http://www.investigation.com/anti_counterfeiting.htm

Posted by Blog Admin in • Forensic Accounting
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Friday, January 26, 2007

Stay Out of Jail!

Even if you do not visit “adult entertainment” sites, your computer could harbor pornographic images and other offensive and even illegal imagery. Yes, You!  There is a landmark court case under appeal where a teenager has been convicted of possessing child pornographic images.  The teen maintains his innocence.  His parents contacted a computer forensics specialist who has retrieved court-admissible evidence that the teen did not knowingly download the images, but that these photos had been transmitted via unsolicited emails purportedly about other topics.

It is easy to jump to the conclusion that the teen may have been curious and intentionally visited websites that included pornographic images of minors.  After all, the majority of computer forensic cases involving pornography bear this out.  In this instance, however, specialized software proved the teen’s contentions and laid the blame elsewhere.

What is so compelling about this case is that is could likely happen to anyone without their knowledge or consent.  Through email and other portals, the information superhighway not only stops at your door, it often leaves undesirable baggage behind.  Business and personal reputations built by years of hard work have been damaged as a result.

What can you do to safeguard your integrity and to check if your computer’s security has been breached?  Call Kessler.  Period.  Kessler International is known worldwide for the firm’s computer forensic capabilities.  Using proprietary and other software coupled with thorough and precise investigation processes, Kessler’s computer forensic investigations yield the both the evidence and the facts.

And, with careful monitoring procedures, Kessler can prevent the recurrence of unwanted data on personal computers.  Remember, when you only have time for the best, Kessler sets the standard for investigative excellence.

See also:  Practice capabilities-
http://www.investigation.com/computer_forensics.htm
http://www.investigation.com/cyber_evidence.htm
http://www.investigation.com/internet_monitoring.htm
http://www.investigation.com/tracing_hostile_contact.htm
http://www.investigation.com/cell_phone_forensics.htm

Posted by Blog Admin in • Computer Forensics
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Thursday, January 25, 2007

Computer Forensics Among Hottest Job Fields for 2007

According to the New York Post column, “HIRE LEARNING”, Computer Forensics remains one of the top 10 career options for 2007 and the coming decade.  Why?  The reasons are numerous, but here are two key factors:  In 2002, watershed legislation introduced the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, a major change in securities law that mandates publicly-traded companies be “transparent in their accounting practices”.  So going, going, gone are the days of “the cover up”- when businesses suspected employee fraud and took steps to bury, rather than to investigate “white collar” criminal activity.

Another factor in the growing need for Computer Forensics professionals is identity theft.  Statistically one in three of us has or soon will be victimized.  This crime is insidious as personal information can be obtained in so many ways, from stolen mail, to hacked retail databases. Brazen identity thieves have even stolen credit card numbers by standing on line behind a victim making a POS transaction at a store register and taking cell-phone camera photos.

While the Computer Forensics field is now being popularized, as with anything else, inexperience masquerades as “best in show”.  Who do you turn to investigate Computer Fraud?  It’s simple: Call Kessler. Period. With over 30 years in the business, Kessler International has the expertise, experience and integrity to uncover the facts and prevent future occurrences.  With propriety software, a staff certified and quantified in their respective disciplines, meticulous methodology and dedication to providing service excellence, Kessler is the company to call when you only have time for the best. 

See also:  http://www.investigation.com/computer_forensics.htm,
and http://www.investigation.com/cell_phone_forensics.htm.

Posted by Blog Admin in • Computer Forensics
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Friday, January 19, 2007

CONSUMER ALERT: What You Don’t Know Can Cost You! 

Most commercial and savings banks have discontinued the accounting practice of returning original cancelled checks to their account holders, replacing them with photocopies of both sides of each cancelled check instead.  This way, account holders have a record of who actually signed the back of the check to redeem its face value.

This signature is universally required for resolving countless business transaction disputes. The back-of-check endorsement also proves ownership to resolve warrantee claims and is admissible as evidence in court cases.  In short; no record of the back of each individual check, no legal documentation.

HBSC Bank, USA, N.A’s account holders have recently received written notice that they would no longer be receiving original cancelled checks, but photocopied facsimiles of these documents.  When these statements arrived, consumers noticed that they had received photo facsimile copies of the face of each check only.

When they contacted HBSC management about these anomalies, consumers learned that a) the original checks had been destroyed and that b) if the consumers wished to have copies of both sides of a check, a $5 charge per check would be incurred.  (Note:  The Blog editor is not certain which statement is more disturbing- that the checks have been destroyed; that there is a sizeable service charge to receive a photo facsimile of both sides of one’s cancelled check OR how it is possible to make a photo facsimile from a check that allegedly has been destroyed!)

For some time it has been the practice for major financial institutions to include photo facsimile checks in lieu of originals in their accountholder’s monthly statements.  Both Citibank, N.A. and Chase among many commercial and savings banks provide their account holders with monthly statements including photo facsimiles of their cancelled checks. Their monthly statements, however, provide BOTH sides of each cancelled check. 

This is food for consumer thought if one pays bills by check and may require proof “down the road” that they did indeed pay their gas, electric and fuel bills, mortgage, child care, credit card(s)……to name a few!

Posted by Blog Admin in • General
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Monday, January 08, 2007

Nationwide Employee Theft Statistics

Did you know that 13% of your employees would steal from you?  Statistical data compiled by Kessler International has been cited in the November 27th, 2006 issue of the prestigious trade paper, FinancialWeek. The Random Numbers segment of the weekly featured Kessler International’s employee theft statistics (culled from a nationwide survey by the renowned forensic accounting firm). To review the source material, which includes more relevant statistics for corporations and employers, see http://www.investigation.com/press/press4.htm. 

Posted by Blog Admin in • Corporate Investigations
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Friday, January 05, 2007

Cyber Attacks:  What They Are & What You Can Do About Them…

Cyber crime takes many forms.  One of the most insidious is the “cyber attack”, usually targeting an individual or corporation.  How targeted attacks (sadly, there are other variations on this theme) happen and what can be done to prevent or curtail them will be discussed in a series of postings here at The Kessler Notebook.

You might be wondering, “If the attack is virtual, where’s the harm?” A future blog topic may well be, “There Are No Victimless Cyber crimes”.  Cyber attackers may steal proprietary corporate or personal information.  Personal privacy is invaded as well, but the harm comes from what is done with the stolen information.  Cyber attackers commit acts of industrial espionage to defamation of character to identity theft. On the corporate scale, hundreds of millions of productivity hours are lost annually. And, when the security surrounding proprietary information that the attackers may or may not want or be able to use is breached, the cost to re-secure this data cannot be calculated.

How can you protect yourself and your business?  Kessler International, with a global reputation for successfully combating thousands of investigative cases involving corporate and cyber fraud, is the company you can trust investigate these potential destructive issues and to make recommendations to avoid recurrence.  Read more about it at http://www.investigation.com/press/press55.htm

Posted by Blog Admin in • Computer Forensics
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Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Kessler International, the leading forensic accounting, computer forensic and auditing firm, has opened two new offices recently, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Atlanta, Georgia. The new locations, in Lancaster at 2173 Embassy Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603, and in Atlanta at 260 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 2200, Atlanta, GA 30303, further expand Kessler’s nationwide presence. There are now 8 Kessler International locations nationwide (in addition to the Firm’s numerous offices in Europe and Asia), to meet their clients’ growing demand for the Company’s investigative and other specialized forensic services. With these new offices, Kessler International has expanded its premier investigative and forensic accounting services all along the Eastern seaboard, continuing to better serve as well as to continue to attract the nation’s most discriminating corporate, government and individual clients.

Michael G. Kessler, President & CEO of Kessler International notes, “Nationwide, demand is strong for high-caliber, discreet and thorough investigative and forensic consultants. We are experiencing a great demand for our services in the Middle Atlantic and Southern states.” Kessler continues: “These new offices additionally demonstrate that Kessler International knows the importance of building and maintaining solid business relationships and underscores our commitment to supporting these regions. The Company’s expansion into Pennsylvania and Georgia are highlights of a banner year wherein Kessler International’s highly-skilled staff and personalized service “raised the bar” even higher in ‘Setting the Standard for Investigative Excellence.’”

Some of the services offered by Kessler International‘s new offices include forensic accounting, internal corporate investigations, anti-counterfeiting and anti-diversion programs, computer forensics, cyber crime detection and evaluation, business intelligence and criminal and civil investigations. Additional areas of expertise include brand protection and asset tracing.

For more of Kessler’s long roster of “Success Stories” in 2006, please visit http://www.investigation.com/press.asp

Posted by Blog Admin in • General
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Thursday, December 28, 2006

When Every Byte of Data Matters

A wealth of personal information is stored, intentionally and sometimes not, on our cell phones. Data that has been forensically-retrieved from mobile phones is court-admissible, making the integrity of cell phone forensic techniques of great importance.  Cell phone forensics, therefore, is the science of retrieving data from a mobile phone, PDA or other hand-held device under forensically acceptable conditions. Whether working to document evidence of “white collar crime” or tasked by law enforcement to extract data for a criminal trial, the integrity of the firm selected is as important as the integrity of the data recovered.  For over 18 years, Kessler International has been a leader in the fields of forensic accounting and computer forensics. The Company applies its experience, expertise and professionalism to its newest forensic discipline- extracting data from hand-held electronics.


See Also: http://www.investigation.com/cell_phone_forensics.htm

Posted by Blog Admin in • Computer Forensics
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Tuesday, December 26, 2006

What You Don’t Know About PPC Fraud
Could Put You Out Of Business

Pay Per Click seems like the answer to many a new, small business owner’s dreams: A competitive web presence via top-of-category advertising on the first page of the browser of your choice, and a record of pertinent site visitors.  After all, who would be accessing your site but visitors specifically interested in your services, yes?  Surely that would be worth the sometimes high price? Well, yes and oftimes, no.  Read on.

Did you know that Pay Per Click originated in the “Adult” market about nine years ago?  Back then, adult companies built massive affiliate networks on the PPC model that paid affiliates for displaying banners and text links.  This major revenue stream eventually dried up due to click fraud.  Unscrupulous affiliates linked any and all sites to their ‘adult content’ sites….Honest and innocent business people were soon fielding irate calls asking why their search for legitimate consumer goods and services took them to X-rated websites!  Not only were these businesses being bilked for theft of services, but they were also paying huge sums (after all, it is not called ‘Pay Per Click’ for nothing!) for the privilege!

And, while this practice has diminished significantly, there are still many ways to defraud honest consumers.  Another fraudulent practice perpetrated by some affiliates is to lure unsuspecting consumers into buying their PPC services with an unreasonably low PPC charge, then have workers in a “back office boiler room” run up charges by visiting the site repeatedly- often over 1,000 times a day per worker.  The victim sees only that his site is suddenly very popular.  But over time, when the “faux” visitors do not make web purchases on the site, and the small firm’s total marketing budget is sunk into the fraudulent PPC operator, the business sinks as well.

What can you do?  Kessler International, a renowned investigative strategies, computer forensic and forensic accounting firm, has some pointers on what business owners can do to protect themselves from PPC fraud, also what to do if one suspects fraud.  See links below.

SEE ALSO:  PAY-PER-CLICK OR PORN-PER-CLICK?
CORPORATIONS’ REPUTATIONS TARNISHED BY CLICK FRAUD
http://www.investigation.com/press/press49.htm

Posted by Michael G. Kessler in
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Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Come on, face it, what woman hasn’t wanted to compete with her well-heeled boss by buying a knock-off Prada®, Coach® or Louis-Vuitton® bag- if only for the shock value alone on Monday morning!  But the fact is, by purchasing “fabulous fakes” you are just supporting the rampant counterfeit industry in Asia and other foreign countries.  Kessler International, the renowned forensic accounting firm, has a high success rate of catching and preventing future “outbreaks” of this all too socially-acceptable crime.  Maybe it would lose some of its luster if called by its numerous “real” names:  Counterfeiting, Trademark Infringement, Royalty Violation…ripoffs?  Remember, it is not only perpetuating fraud to purchase these items, but also supports corrupt business practices abroad and in the United States.  Why “fake it” with a shoddy designer knock-off?  Set your own trend by being an original! 

See also:  “’Tis The Season For Counterfeit Goods”
http://www.investigation.com/press/press27.htm

To Learn More Why It’s Not Okay To Buy Counterfeit Goods, See:
“Anti-Counterfeiting Programs”
http://www.investigation.com/anti_counterfeiting.htm

Posted by Blog Admin in
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Thursday, December 07, 2006

Genuine Forensic Accounting/Computer Forensic Investigators

Popularized by their inclusion in TV crime shows such as “Law and Order” and “CSI”, the forensic accounting and computer forensic fields are becoming cluttered with newbie “litigation specialists” with no background, experience or formal training in these disciplines.  You wouldn’t hire a plumber who wasn’t familiar with the business end of a pipe wrench, would you?  So how do you safeguard yourself and your business from hiring a “specialist” who isn’t?

Kessler International, Inc. is the only name you have to know.  With over thirty-five years’ experience in forensic accounting (that’s more than many firms’ total staff experience combined!), President and CEO, Michael G. Kessler’s expertise is widely acknowledged.  He consults Fortune 500 as well as international companies- and is often retained to train corporate staff in the fine points of his craft.  For a comprehensive list of Kessler International, Inc. services, see:  Practice Capabilities, http://www.investigation.com/pracap.asp. 

Posted by Blog Admin in • Forensic Accounting • Computer Forensics
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Friday, December 01, 2006

’Hate to be a spoilsport, but the “most wonderful time of the year” for most of us, is also a field day for identity thieves- this so-called “victimless” crime surges during the Winter Holidays.  Why? Read More.

Posted by Blog Admin in • Brand Protection
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Monday, November 20, 2006

Kessler International launches its new online blog dubbed “The Kessler Notebook”.  Come back often to read about the recent headlines we’re creating around the globe as well as informative articles written by our staff of worldclass experts in forensic accounting, brand protection, computer forensics, and corporate investigations. 

Posted by Blog Admin in • General
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