Zeus Now Used to Collate Information Other than Banking Credentials

According to security writer JC Donnelly associated with the Tech FAQ newswire, the Zeus Trojan, which is originally utilized for stealing Internet users' bank accounts for robbing money, now appears as being used for gathering information beyond Internet banking credentials. For, hackers are employing it for assembling other significant data of consumers as well. Infosecurity reported this on October 13, 2010.

Elaborates Donnelly that hackers are using Zeus primarily to find out the place where the contaminated PC's user works.

He also states that the manner in which hackers are stealing information is unbelievably deceptive. According to Donnelly, these criminals are sending a bogus web-link to the login form of online banking that directs the user to provide his employer's details along with own phone number so that the same criminals may access the information for knowing if the infected computer has any corporate secrets.

In a quote from University of Alabama's Gary Warner in the Tech FAQ newswire dated October 12, 2010, the expert speaks to the New York Times telling that PC attackers are discussing in forums how they can best use this information since it may be worthwhile to explore the infected PC more deeply. For, that PC may facilitate a Glossary Link passage to the company's communication network, he notes.

Elaborating on this issue, specialists state that Zeus is too powerful a Trojan because it enables hackers in gaining full authority over the infected PC. When they gain admission into it, they potentially read the files, record keystrokes as well as gain entry into the corporate PCs. Consequently, these corporations' confidential data can be effectively disclosed. TopBites.com reported this on October 12, 2010.

In the meantime, reporting about Zeus' power, the FBI cited one Zeus syndicate which alone tried to make illegal transfers of $220m, while successfully ending up filching $70m.

Taking this report as a reference, senior threat researcher Don Jackson at SecureWorks a cyber forensics company cautioned that there were possibly 12 or so gangs operating with such caliber and numerous smaller burglars scrutinizing Internet bank accounts. Readaloo published Jackson's statement on October 12, 2010.

Related article: Zeus Trojan Stole Huge Amount of Information

» SPAMfighter News - 10/25/2010