Friday, October 10, 2008
Computer hackers are using fake YouTube videos to spread viruses and other forms of malware, it has emerged.
Software circulating online is allowing criminals to create replica pages of the popular video hosting site in order to push trojan malware on to unwitting users.
Bypassing web filters, these programs could then be used to commit identity theft and fraud.
The Associated Press reported that the attack exemplifies a heightened focus on highly targeted and complex methods to compromise network security.
Jamz Yaneza, a threat research manager, showed the news agency an example of the attack, exclaiming: "It's spot-on accurate and that is scary. If I were watching YouTube videos all day I would probably click on this one."
Elsewhere, recent reports have shown that fraudsters are capitalizing on the current interest in the election race in order to commit identity theft and fraud.
One widely circulated email phishing scam purported to contain details of a sex scandal involving democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
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