Targeted cyber attacks an 'epidemic'
The targeted attack used by hackers to compromise e-mail accounts of top US officials is reaching 'epidemic' proportions, say security experts. The scam, known as spear phishing, was used in a bid to get passwords of Gmail accounts so they could be monitored.
Via a small number of customised messages it tries to trick people into visiting a web page that looks genuine so users type in login names. Such attacks are often aimed at top officials or chief executives.
Such attacks are not new, say security professionals, but they are becoming more commonplace. "What is happening more and more is the targeting of a couple of high value individuals with the one goal of acquiring valuable information and valuable data," said Dan Kaminsky, chief scientist at security firm DKH.
