December 29, 2011

I’m taking a short break from some year-end downtime to observe that KrebsOnSecurity.com turns two years old today!

This past year, KrebsOnSecurity.com has featured more than 200 blog posts, and attracted 5,000+ reader comments. It has been humbling to watch the audience here steadily grow and mature into a community. The expertise and conversations offered by readers in the blog comments have added immeasurably to the value and usefulness of this site.

My research and reporting involved more than a dozen public speaking events around the globe in 2011. The highlights of my work-related travel included trips to Austria, Canada, Poland, Russia, and The Netherlands. 2012 promises more interesting destinations.

When I founded Krebs On Security LLC in late 2009, I had no idea if it would work out. This past year, I’ve respectfully turned down some very flattering offers to work at important publications. The money and (apparent) stability those opportunities held out were certainly enticing, but I’m having way too much fun on my own, and today I can scarcely imagine doing anything else.

I look forward to continuing my investigative reporting on cybercrime, cybersecurity, and the underground economy. Most of all, I look forward to your continued readership and support. Thank you.

In case you missed them, here are some of the most-read investigative stories on KrebsOnsecurity.com from 2011:

Russian Cops Crash Pill Pusher Party

SpamIt, Glavmed Pharmacy Networks Exposed

Is Your Computer Listed “For Rent”?

Rent-a-Bot Networks Tied to TDSS Botnet

Who’s Behind the TDSS Botnet?

Gang Used 3D Printers for ATM Skimmers

Digital Hit Men for Hire

Beware of Juice-Jacking

Coordinated ATM Heists Net Thieves $13 Million

Rustock Botnet Suspect Sought Job at Google

Apple Took 3+ Years to Fix FinFisher Trojan Hole

Advanced Persistent Tweets: Zero-Day in 140 Characters

Pro-Grade (3D-Printer Made?) ATM Skimmer

How Much is Your Identity Worth?


48 thoughts on “Happy 2nd Birthday, KrebsOnSecurity.com!

  1. Ron

    Congrats Brian, keep the journalistic fire burning! As a BA-Journalism Graduate that transitioned to IT, my passion for writing investigative stories still burns a little bit. All the best for 2012.

  2. Ben Moore

    Congratulations! When Krebs on Security comes up in the new posts section of my RSS reader I always read you first!

    I’m glad that you’re doing well.

  3. John

    Congratulations, Brian! I’m delighted you continued this work after leaving the Washington Post. You are my main source of important security updates.

    I appreciate all you do for all of us.

    Happy New Year!

  4. Liz

    Happy 2 year anniversary!
    Keep up the great work. You do a fantastic job of describing complex issues in a way to makes it accessible to interested non-experts. A valuable skill indeed!
    All the best in 2012.

  5. Dirgster

    Happy 2nd anniversary, Brian! Your posts always keep us alert and safe and are much appreciated. Have a happy and healthy 2012 and keep up the good work by informing us about computer threats and the bad guys out there.

  6. Caleb

    Congratulations, Brian! Keep up the good work. I always enjoy keeping up with the latest security news on your blog.

    Best wishes on a successful 2012!

  7. Brian Sarsfield

    Happy Birthday! Long may the site continue.
    Cheers.

  8. John S

    Having way too much fun is heaven on earth. Good for you Brian.

  9. JCitizen

    WOW! Two years! How time flies!

    I’m glad you’ve decided to remain independent!

    Best of wishes for 2012 and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

    You well deserve some rest! 🙂

  10. Jon Praed

    Congratulations Brian! With all that is broken in the cyber security industry, your success is at least one healthy sign that the system may actually be able to fix itself. Without you, the rest of us would have no chance of doing it on our own. Congratulations.

  11. Tom Seaview

    Thanks for the great work. I followed you here from WaPo, and I stop in every day.
    I work in a large support organization, and people much higher up come to me and say things like, “Hey, I ran into a machine that keeps hitting Chronopay, but the user claims she never heard of the site… why does it do that?” Thanks for providing the answers.

  12. securityjunkie

    Congrats!!!! KrebsonSecurity a must go to. Look forward to the coming year’s info.

  13. KathyB

    Congratulations Brian! Although I don’t post much, I read every time I receive notification. Through your blog I’ve learned a great deal, not just for my own protection but for the protection of professional assets. I’ve used information gleaned from your blog to train staff at the community-based bank where I work.

    Truth be told, you are way too good to be working for anyone other than yourself. You don’t sacrifice your integrity as sometimes journalists have to do when working for “the man”.

    Keep up the good work. Happy New Year! 🙂

  14. HenningW

    Congratulations, Brian! Well done indeed. Krebs on Security is one of the very few sites I don’t want to miss.
    Wish you all the best in 2012.

  15. Lenny Gusel

    Happy anniversary, congratulation and happy new year. Thank you for the work you do, it is of great value.

  16. Huh?

    Congrats man! You serve an aspect of IT Security news that isn’t found anywhere else. You’ve earned the community’s respect and we’re lucky to have you.

  17. Maureen

    Happy birthday to krebsonsecurity
    Reading you each day is a surety
    The advice that you give
    Ensures I can live
    In relative virtual purity

    Congratulations, Brian, and many thanks for all the good articles, advice, and wisdom.

  18. Omer Bauer

    Brian….I have been with you for the whole 2 yrs. and appreciate all that you do. Congradulations.

  19. Barbara Barkow

    Happy 2nd Birthday! I look forward to every one of your columns. And have a great vacation too!

  20. Marc Quince

    Brian has my utmost respect. Investigating the types of criminal cases Brian publishes are an international fiasco and for the most part nearly impossible to prosecute.

    Thank you Brian for shining a light on a problem too complex and mind boggling for the mainstream media to even touch.

    Keep the faith and keep up the great work!!!

  21. TEA-Time

    Happy Birthday KrebsOnSecurity!

    Brian,

    Thanks for all the great info and keep up the excellent work!

  22. BrianKrebs Post author

    Thanks, everybody, for the very nice well-wishes. I’m glad to hear from so many of you, and wish you all a very Happy New Year!

  23. Marc Handelman

    My heartiest congratulations on your second year of likely the most respected independent source of security related topics on the web. Your investigative chops are astonishing, your prose well-crafted and on-target. Always a pleasure to read, no matter the extent of the sometimes bad news therein, because, quite frankly, without your reportage, how would we know?

  24. Ken

    Congratulations, Brian. Wonderful work, always goto for latest IT security knowledge, pure high integrity, quality work, well done!

    All the best for the coming years, and success to you.

    Totally agree with the other commentators, who have so well reflected on your value, and Happy New Year!

  25. Tyler

    Thanks again Brian for all your efforts.

    I’m hoping you find time to author a novel based on your experiences. Your investigative ability and gift of story-telling make a strong combination.

    Have a Happy and Safe New year!

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