The SEC is using advanced technology to detect illegal trades in an enormous database system holding trade records using mathematical algorithms and advanced analytics, while criminals are using technology to hack into places for insider trading.
Ivan Boesky, known for his role in insider trading scandals in the 1980s, used to steal and profit from press releases uploaded by PR Newswire and Marketwire before they became public. In one instance, he made 40-50% of profits from trades using insider information from a Dendreon press release.