Credit cards compromised by fake security software

Credit cards compromised by fake security software

Criminals tricking internet users into giving up credit card details.

Consumers are being tricked into giving up credit card details and other sensitive information by criminals offering fake security software.

 

According to the latest security intelligence report from software giant Microsoft, the high-profile nature of some recent viruses has led to increased awareness about the importance of online security.

 

However, the study found that some criminals have taken advantage of this by tricking consumers into downloading "rogue security software that provides little or no real protection, and may actually be malicious in nature", according to Vinny Gullotto, general manager of Microsoft's malware protection centre.

 

"These criminals now have the user's valid credit card details, and a wide-open pathway for downloading more malicious software onto the victim's computer," he added.

 

The report from Microsoft also found that 97% of emails sent through the internet are unwanted spam messages.

 

Microsoft blamed improvements in technology for the prevalence of spam, as senders have been able to take advantage of new software and hardware to create more emails.