IT Forensics Cologne | IT Security Cologne

Cologne goes digital. According to a study by the University of Bonn, Cologne is by far the most digitalised major city in Germany, with modern digitised administrative structures and an excellently developed fibre-optic network for broadband internet use. In times of increasing digitalisation, including of personal and company-internal data, IT security is gaining importance rapidly. Antivirus software alone provides only basic protection, especially since most providers cooperate with the authorities in their respective countries, thereby infiltrating all data protection measures.

 

The Cold War is not over; it has merely changed its appearance, as the Cold Cyber War represents a constant threat to public security in the 21st century. Cologne-based companies are well aware of this, as the cathedral city is one of the leading IT regions, reflected, among other things, in the establishment of large international companies: for example, the game developer Electronics Arts moved to Cologne, and Microsoft Germany maintains its second-largest office here.

Increasing Phishing Emails in Circulation

Phishing crime is aimed at spying on personal data on software-based systems such as PCs, smartphones and tablets. Most offenders are interested in obtaining bank account data (logins, passwords, TANs) and account details for payment services and online retailers such as PayPal, Amazon and eBay. The corresponding spyware is usually installed unnoticed via opening infected email attachments or downloads (for example music files, movies) from untrustworthy websites. Well-crafted phishing emails mimic legitimate companies like eBay or PayPal almost perfectly and often refer to websites that closely resemble those of the spoofed companies, where personal data (account name and password) are to be entered. Laypeople usually notice that these are not the actual providers only through minimal changes in the email and domain name. Professional phishing software can, in any case, only be detected and completely removed by professional IT forensics experts such as those at Kurtz Detective Agency Cologne.

Example of a rudimentary phishing email. Logo and copyright were copied from the payment service PayPal. The domain “reply.ebay.de” is intended to simulate official eBay affiliation, although it is already noticeable that the sender’s identity and sender domain differ (service@paypal.de as identity, ebay@reply.ebay.de as domain). This discrepancy is somewhat excessive, as it does not correspond to eBay’s and PayPal’s standard practice. However, the email fails more obviously due to poor German, probably generated by a translation machine.

Fraud Using Spy Software

In Cologne, there have recently been repeated calls from fraudsters posing as Microsoft or Apple employees, often speaking English with a strong accent. They deceive victims into believing that malware has been detected on their device during automatic system checks and that the problem can be solved by installing remote maintenance software. If the victims agree, spyware is indeed installed on their system, and the offenders can easily access all data on the PC and monitor the input of credentials, for example for online banking. As a final step, this “service” is often charged for, with the victims additionally providing their credit card details.

Qualified IT Specialists in Cologne

The trained specialists at Kurtz Investigations Cologne examine and optimise the security of your system taking into account the requirements and sensitivity of your data protection – and, of course, your wishes. The need in Cologne is high, as many companies based here are world leaders in their respective sectors. For example, Schwank GmbH from Cologne-Weidenpesch, the largest producer of gas infrared heaters, equips football stadiums throughout Europe, including Real Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge in London, and Fenerbahçe Istanbul’s Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

 

If you have fallen victim to an IT attack, our forensic specialists will conduct a criminal investigation within your system. We cannot always guarantee success, as the outcome depends on the professionalism of the attacker. However, cases in which the hacker has made no detectable mistakes are very rare. Naturally, Kurtz Detective Agency Cologne is also available if you have lost data due to an accident. Whatever can be saved, we will save.

 

As IT security and IT forensics involve considerable technical effort, our usual fee calculations do not apply here. Depending on the scope of work, our IT services cost between €900 and €1,700 per day. For your individual cost estimate, please consult us personally: +49 221 4558 0377.