Subscribers of Batelco Internet Attacked by Phishing Scam

The leading telecom operator of Bahrain, Batelco, has warned its users about a malicious mail circulating in the Kingdom targeted at personal data, as reported by itp on May 27, 2008.

The subscribers received a mail with the subject line Verification Department saying that users with "@batelco.com.bh" mail address will be erased if they will not submit some account details within a week of receipt of this message.

This method is called phishing and it involves acquiring personal data like usernames and passwords by appearing as an authentic organization in an electronic communication for monetary gains.

These fake mails are sent to Batelco internet users with the purpose of attracting innocent users into divulging their sensitive information such as usernames and passwords by appearing to be a communication from the official source. The users are directed to mail their details or to visit a site to submit their data online. This site, obviously, is a trumped- up site and it belongs to the hacker.

The Bahraini telecom company advised that the mail is completely fraudulent and the users should not reply to such mails. As per Batelco, they will not send any request to the users to reveal their password details through mail.

Also, delegates at MECOM 2008 (the Middle East Communications Exhibition and Conference) said that, undoubtedly, the issue has grown as a global problem and the Middle East region was infected by maximum incidents of phishing scam. After the corporate companies, financial institution, and banks, the telecom companies have become the new target for the hackers to launch their attacks.

Also, Sophos experts said that in its report, Security Threat Report 2008, that they have discovered around 6,000 infected Web pages everyday and one in every 14 seconds. Almost, 83% of sites belong to those companies and individuals who are unaware that their sites have been compromised. Different types of sites like antique dealers, ice cream, and wedding photographers have hosted malware on behalf of virus creators.

Related article: Safeguard antivirus Threatened by Malware Attacks

» SPAMfighter News - 6/9/2008