Webroot Alerts Online Shoppers To Holiday Cyberthreats: Data-Stealing Malware On The Rise

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Webroot Alerts Online Shoppers To Holiday Cyberthreats: Data-Stealing Malware On The Rise

Survey reveals behaviors that may put shoppers' personal and financial information at risk

Nov 20, 2009 | 04:24 PM

BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- From phony emails to Facebook phishers, cybercriminals are casting a wide net to lure online shoppers this season. According to new research from Webroot, a leading provider of Internet security for consumers and businesses, certain infections designed to steal personal information rose in the months leading up to the shopping season. Simultaneously, in a survey of consumers, Webroot found the majority (68 percent) plan to buy at least half of their gifts online this year, presenting cybercriminals with a larger target on Cyber Monday and throughout the holidays.

Primary Methods for Stealing Information

The Webrootý½ Threat Research team has recorded a recent spike in certain phishing Trojans, including one which rose 73 percent since August. Called Trojan-Backdoor-Stinkbreath, it spreads via bogus emails bearing the names of shipping companies including FedEx, DHL, UPS and USPS - brands many shoppers expect to see this time of year.

More detail at Darkreading - http://www.darkreading.com/security/vulnerabilities/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=221900531&subSection=Vulnerabilities+and+threats