'Credit card theft? There's an app for that'

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Quote

Would-be hackers have long been able to buy rudimentary software packages that can be used to build malware, such as code that can steal online banking passwords. Now these hacking tools are being supported with a range of services, some with a money-back guarantee, that makes it easier than ever to create and spread malware.

"There used to be only a small number of clever criminals who could pull off these attacks," says Patrick Peterson of online security company Cisco in San Bruno, California. "Now there is a much lower barrier to entry."

One such software kit, known as Zeus, epitomises the commercialisation of the malware services industry. Like other malicious software, Zeus can easily be bought online, in this case for between $400 and $700. Detailed instructions on how to use it are readily available, too.

What sets Zeus apart is that it enables someone with minimal computer skills to create sophisticated malware that can be used to steal online banking credentials or sensitive documents. "It represents a sea change in innovation, beyond anything we've seen before," says Peterson.

As an example of what is possible using Zeus, one recent attack netted sensitive US government documents, reports Nart Villeneuve, a security researcher at the Munk Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto, Canada. The attack began in February with a series of emails sent to senior officials in the US military, the Federal Aviation Administration and other government agencies, purporting to contains links to vital security information.

In reality, clicking on the links resulted in malware built with Zeus being installed on the user's machine. The attack was sophisticated enough to dupe some of its targets, and as a result 81 machines were compromised. Villeneuve was able to identify 1533 documents from the compromised machines that ended up on a computer in Belarus, including defence contracts, documents relating to biological and chemical terrorism and the security plan for a US airport.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527524.300-credit-card-theft-theres-an-app-for-that.html

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