misunderestimation

MySpace has come under a lot of fire lately for concerns over user’s security and then power outages this past weekend, now it appears to be the target of cyber criminals as well.

From Silicon.com:

Social networking portal MySpace is becoming a major target for cyber criminals, with credit card fraud, phishing attacks and spyware all growing concerns for users of the site.

One reason for the problems arising is the overwhelming popularity of the site which has created an ecosystem ripe for the picking by criminals, according to one security expert.

Phishing, as the name implies, is when someone “baits” you to come to their web site and fill out a form with your personal information. These messages look legitimate, but are really scams designed to gather your personal information. With the explosion of “social network” sites, the phishing nets are getting bigger. Vnunet.com has this to add:

“With a global increase in the uptake of social networking portals such as MySpace we are seeing the bad guys increasingly target these sites,” said MessageLabs chief technology officer Mark Sunner.

“This clearly demonstrates the constant level of innovation by cyber-criminals to leverage new modes of internet level communication and capture a victim’s personal identity.”

IT Week is even more direct:

“We’re now in the midst of a new level of convergence triggered by the necessity [to make money] from targeted attacks,” Sunner explained. “In 12 months we’ll pinpoint this time as the moment spam and viruses converged with spyware.”

Great. So, how do we fight phishing? Panda Software has some advice:

The most basic security measure to bear in mind is simply to ignore email messages, etc. that, under whatever pretext, ask you to go to a web page and enter your login details.

Another practical piece of advice to avoid phishing attacks is not to click on links in order to access Internet services such as online banking, etc.

I guess the best advice is to remember what your mother told you; never accept candy from strangers.

Other’s Blogging/Resources:

• Anti-Phishing Working Group
• Where can I find out about Phishing trends and combat measures?
• Gone Phishing? How To Get Your Money Back
• Firefox 2.0 to Contain Anti-Phishing Features
• California Issues Alert on Emerging eBay Fraud Trend

More misunderestimation