Fraudsters Targeting Chase(TM) Customers

Researchers at BitDefender, the security firm, have identified a new high-volume spam wave, purporting to come from Chase(TM) Online Banking Team to verify and strengthen the new security measures.

Further, when the users verify by means of a PHP script, scammers become able to steal the information. The stolen details are then exploited to drain out the bank accounts of the victims and can also be used for the future purposes of phishing, vishing and spamming.

The online form in the e-mail, asserts to be the portal of the financial institution, bears various identification elements that resembles the legitimate logo and general layout. Its domain is found to be registered in Turkey.

According to Vlad Valceanu, Head, BitDefender anti-spam Research, the aftermath of the ongoing economic turmoil and unparalleled alterations at the economic front have increased the phishing and spamming operations, as per the news published by marketwatch on November 24, 2008.

Valceanu further added that anxiety and panic among the general public open a golden opportunity for cyber criminals to illegally access their sensitive credentials. So, users should be wary while handling their personal and financial details over the Internet.

Moreover, in October 2008, spam attacks, based on an outline used prior to recession and featuring financial advertisements, gained momentum.

Scammers are exploiting the highly concerned Internet users, seeking for more details about the global turmoil and willing to make their present financial status better. Consequently, PC users are required to be more vigilant about both the e-mails received by them and the ads they select to click.

Furthermore, BitDefender advised the users to avoid the installation of applications and services that are seldom used in the desktop role like file sharing and file transfer servers. These programs may turn out hazardous and should be installed only when required.

Additionally, users should immediately delete serial e-mails or useless messages and should not respond to the senders or forward them, as these kinds of messages are considered to be spam and tend to overload the web traffic.

Related article: Fraudster Acquiesce To Online Bank Theft

» SPAMfighter News - 12/9/2008