Explore the latest news and trends  

Sign up for our weekly security newsletter


Be the first to receive important updates on security





Send

Hackers Targeting Customers of Troubled Banks

Nigel Mawer, the Chief of Specialist and Economic Crime at Scotland Yard (Scotland), has cautioned bank customers that are being attacked by hackers, informing that the department is witnessing an increase in online phishing scams because of merger and acquisition activities in the banking market, as reported by telegraph on March 1, 2009.

The Police department further revealed that with the merging of Lloyds TSB and HBOS, hackers are using this as an opportunity to send mails to steal private details of their customers. In these phishing attacks, hackers are attacking people who formerly have had accounts at HBOS, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Lloyds and RBS.

The Police also claimed that the users could easily trust these e-mail particularly when their bank merges with another bank. Hackers take advantage of the situation to send a mail saying because of merger, they need to confirm user's information. It confers a degree of authenticity and legitimacy to the phishing attacks.

As per the payment clearing association Apacs, during the Q1 2008, phishing attacks increased by 200% as compared to 2007, with almost 10,000 cases were reported in the last three months.

Vice president of EMEA at Verisign (an internet security provider), Martin Mackay, said that several computer users in the UK are still unfamiliar about detecting a phishing website, as reported by computerWeekly on March 2, 2009.

Martin said that presently, hackers are taking undue advantage of the situation caused by the banking crisis. Fortunately, there are many ways to detect a fake website.

Further, security experts inform that the phishing mails have become more developed lately by making use of authentic address, company logo and gimmicks to lure users to disclose their personal details. The Police advised users to update their antivirus software and use spam filter to safeguard themselves from these attacks.

In the meantime, along with the Police department, the Lloyds Banking Group also issued an alert to customers that its name is being used in a phishing mail.

Related article: Hackers Redirect Windows Live Search to Malicious Sites

ยป SPAMfighter News - 3/10/2009

3 simple steps to update drivers on your Windows PCSlow PC? Optimize your Slow PC with SLOW-PCfighter!Email Cluttered with Spam? Free Spam Filter!

Dear Reader

We are happy to see you are reading our IT Security News.

We do believe, that the foundation for a good work environment starts with fast, secure and high performing computers. If you agree, then you should take a look at our Business Solutions to Spam Filter & Antivirus for even the latest version of Exchange Servers - your colleagues will appreciate it!

Go back to previous page
Next