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Aug 28, 2009
Skype eavesdropping virus <!--10 min-->
<!-- headline one : start --> <!-- headline one : end --> <!-- Author --> <!-- show image if available --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr></tr> <tr> </tr> <tr> </tr> <tr><td colspan="2" class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold">By Serene Luo </td></tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td width="330">
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When slipped undetected onto a computer, this code for a Trojan virus will record Skype calls and send them as an MP3 file back to the attacker, essentially acting as a wiretap. --PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO
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USERS whispering sweet nothings to a lover many seas away or discussing business secrets free Web voice over IP service Skype have a new enemy to contend with.
Researchers from Internet security company Symantec have noticed a new piece of source code that has become publicly available. When slipped undetected onto a computer, this code for a Trojan virus will record Skype calls and send them as an MP3 file back to the attacker, essentially acting as a wiretap. The attacker can then listen to the MP3 file, which resides on a server connected to the Internet, and use the information for anything from spying or business espionage to surveillance or blackmail. The MP3 format ensures the file size is small and thus, less likely to be discovered, a release from the company on Friday said. Though still considered a low-risk threat now, Symantec said that more hackers could incorporate the code into their attacks, seeing as it is now publicly available.
Aug 28, 2009
Skype eavesdropping virus <!--10 min-->
<!-- headline one : start --> <!-- headline one : end --> <!-- Author --> <!-- show image if available --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr></tr> <tr> </tr> <tr> </tr> <tr><td colspan="2" class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold">By Serene Luo </td></tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td width="330">
</td> <td width="10">
When slipped undetected onto a computer, this code for a Trojan virus will record Skype calls and send them as an MP3 file back to the attacker, essentially acting as a wiretap. --PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO
</td></tr> </tbody></table> <!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->
USERS whispering sweet nothings to a lover many seas away or discussing business secrets free Web voice over IP service Skype have a new enemy to contend with.
Researchers from Internet security company Symantec have noticed a new piece of source code that has become publicly available. When slipped undetected onto a computer, this code for a Trojan virus will record Skype calls and send them as an MP3 file back to the attacker, essentially acting as a wiretap. The attacker can then listen to the MP3 file, which resides on a server connected to the Internet, and use the information for anything from spying or business espionage to surveillance or blackmail. The MP3 format ensures the file size is small and thus, less likely to be discovered, a release from the company on Friday said. Though still considered a low-risk threat now, Symantec said that more hackers could incorporate the code into their attacks, seeing as it is now publicly available.
