From Steam to SOC: How to Turn Fraud Engine Knowledge into a Security Analyst Career

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A step-by-step journey from carder to Security Operations Center employee

Introduction: From Shadow to Monitor​

You started with a simple question: "Why did this transaction go through and that one didn't?"
Years later, you know the answers to questions most IT professionals don't even know:
- How device fingerprinting works,
- Why canvas noise of 100% is a red flag,
- How a fraud score is formed from hundreds of signals.

This isn't "criminal experience" — it's deep technical expertise. And in 2026, companies are paying $70,000–$120,000 per year for people who understand security systems from the inside.

In this article, I'll show you the step-by-step path from Steam carder to SOC analyst — no embellishment, no lies, just real steps that work.

Part 1: Why Your Experience Is Valuable​

What you already know (and don't realize it)​

Your carding skill	Legal profession
Forter/Sift/Riskified Analysis	Fraud Analyst
Setting up anti-detection browsers	Threat Intelligence Analyst
Understanding 3D Secure, AVS, and PreAuth	Payment Security Engineer
Researching website vulnerabilities	SOC Analyst / PenTester

Key insight:
You're not a "former carder" — you're a systems researcher.
The only difference is whose systems you're now protecting.

Part 2: A Step-by-Step Path to SOC​

Step 1: Obtain Basic Certification (1-2 months)​

Select a certificate:

Certificate	Price	Why is it suitable?
CompTIA Security+	$400	Basic standard for SOC; no experience required
eJPT (eLearnSecurity)	$200	Hands-on pentesting; ideal for those who enjoy touching systems
Google Cybersecurity Certificate	$50/month	An online course from Google; good for starting out.

Recommendation: Start with eJPT - it's cheap, practical, and respected in the industry.

Where to study:

• TryHackMe: Pre-Security, Jr. Pentester,
• Cybrary: Free SOC and Threat Analysis Courses
• Hack The Box: Practice on real vulnerabilities.

Step 2: Build a Portfolio (2-3 months)​

What to include:

1. Lab reports:
   • "Analysis of Forter's behavior on Steam"
   • "Comparison of Canvas/WebGL fingerprinting in Dolphin Anty vs. real users"
2. CTF solutions:
   • Completed tasks on TryHackMe/Hack The Box
   • Screenshots with badges.
3. GitHub repository:
   • Scripts for TLS JA3 analysis
   • Tools for checking WebRTC leaks.

Tip:
Don't write, "I was involved in carding." Write,
"I researched fraud engine bypass mechanisms to understand their weaknesses".

Step 3: Land your first role (3-6 months)​

Target positions:

Role	Requirements	Salary
SOC Analyst L1	Security+, Basic Networking Skills	$50k–$70k
Fraud Analyst	Understanding payment systems, analytics	$60k–$80k
Threat Intelligence Junior	Knowledge of TTPs, MITRE ATT&CK	$65k–$85k

Where to look:

• LinkedIn: Entry Level Cybersecurity Filter
• Indeed: Search for "SOC Analyst", "Fraud Analyst",
• Startups: Fintech companies (Revolut, Stripe, Klarna) often hire without experience.

Phrase for a summary:
“Deep understanding of behavioral biometrics and fraud engine mechanisms obtained through research of payment systems”.

Step 4: Grow within SOC (6–12 months)​

Career growth:

1. SOC L1 → SOC L2:
   • Learn SIEM (Splunk, QRadar)
   • Master log analysis
   • Complete CySA+
2. SOC L2 → Threat Hunter:
   • Learn MITRE ATT&CK
   • Learn to write YARA rules
   • Pass GCFA
3. Threat Hunter → Fraud Specialist:
   • Dive deeper into payment systems
   • Learn PCI DSS, PSD2
   • Become a fraud expert

Salaries:

• SOC L2: $80k–$100k,
• Threat Hunter: $90k–$120k,
• Fraud Specialist: $100k–$150k.

Part 3: How to Explain Your Past to an Employer​

Don't say:​

"I've been carding for two years."

You say:​

"I've deeply researched fraud engine evasion mechanisms to understand their weaknesses. Now I want to use this knowledge to strengthen them".
"My interest in cybersecurity began with a desire to understand how defense systems work — and how they can be improved".

Key: Focus on an exploratory approach rather than action.

Part 4: Real Cases – How It Works​

Case 1: Former Carder → SOC Analyst at Revolut​

• Past: 6 years in carding, focus on Steam/Razer,
• Actions:
  • Received eJPT,
  • Got a job as an intern at a fintech startup,
  • A year later - SOC analyst at Revolut ($75,000/year).
• Quote:
  

  "My knowledge of how to bypass AVS and 3DS now helps block real cheaters".

Case 2: Former Fraudster → Threat Intelligence in Forter​

• Past: Working with anti-detection browsers, phishing,
• Actions:
  • Passed OSCP,
  • Found vulnerabilities in the bug bounty,
  • Got a job at Forter ($110,000/year).
• Quote:
  

  "Now I'm creating the very same fraud engines that I was previously trying to bypass".

Part 5: Why it's better than carding​

Factor	Carding	Legal career
Income	Unstable, risky	Stable, with bonuses
Safety	Problems	Full legal protection
Reputation	Destroyed	A respected profession
Height	Limited	Endless Possibilities
Dream	With anxiety	Calm

Final thought:
The best hackers aren't the ones who break systems — the ones who protect them. And they get paid 10 times more
for it — without fear.

Conclusion: Your journey begins today​

You've already completed the hardest part — learning to think like a carder. Now it's time to think like a defender.

1. Register on TryHackMe,
2. Complete Security+ or eJPT,
3. Start building a portfolio,
4. Apply for your first legal role.

Remember:
Your past experience is not a crime, but an advantage.
The world of cybersecurity awaits people like you.

Stay curious. Stay ethical.
And remember: true freedom lies in legality.