Computer Virus Hit Trade Me Website Users

The users of 'Trade Me' auction website have recently been hit by a computer virus. It is said that the auction website allowed the download of an advertisement which contained this malicious software.

Disturbingly, the users are witnessing significant problems in their computers and some even suspect that the virus has stolen details of their credit card.

The malicious advertisement was present on the website from September 30, 2010 morning to the mid-day of October 1, 2010.

The Spokesman of Trade Me, Paul Ford, said that most of the users would not have seen the ad or received an invitation to download the infected software as the company removed the ad as soon as it was informed about the issue, as reported by stuff.co.nz on October 3, 2010,.

Ford highlighted that old browsers and computer systems with outdated anti-virus software are detectable by this virus. The company also noted that it contacted nearly 50 people, whereas the virus affected the systems of only five users.

Trade Me apologized to everyone whose computers had been affected by the malicious attack. Moreover, Mr. Ford informed users that the case had been forwarded to the police for investigation.

According to Ford, the company takes its status of a trusted marketplace very seriously and accepts that it has disappointed its members. Therefore, he declares that they will do everything possible to nail the cybercriminals.

Ford has also highlighted that the incident acted as a reminder to update operating systems and anti-virus software. In another statement published by topnews.co.uk on October 3, 2010, he suggested that one should not download anything that looks devious.

Moreover, this is not the first time when a malware had attacked an auction website. It has always been a tried and tested method of cyber crooks to spread malware. Last year in the month of February, Auctiva.com, a website offering eBay auction tools, had a computer Trojan horse that infected users' PCs, resulting in a large amount of hue and cry on the customer's end.

Related article: Computer Virus Writers Adopt New Strategy

» SPAMfighter News - 10/7/2010