Posted on 09/21/2009 5:03:47 AM PDT by xtinct
Cyber criminals have created a highly sophisticated Trojan virus that steals online banking log-in details from infected computers.
The Clampi virus, which is spreading rapidly across hundreds of thousands of computers in Britain and the United States, infects computers when users visit websites that host a malicious code.
Once on the computer, the virus sits unnoticed until the user logs on to bank, credit card or other financial websites. It then captures log-in and password information and sends it to a server run by the attackers. They can then tell the compromised computer to send money to accounts that they control, or they can buy goods with the stolen credit card details.
The trojan has a list of more than 4,500 finance-related websites that it monitors, including British high street banks. Security experts warned that it was one of the stealthiest and most pervasive threats to computers using the Microsoft Windows operating systems.
(Excerpt) Read more at business.timesonline.co.uk ...
Thanks! Updating my software now.
It depends on the security your bank has, too.
At my bank, if I try to log into my account from a computer I have not used before, it won’t allow it. I have to call in for an activation code.
Glad we use our Mac for any online transactions. The PC running Windows is only used for a few things (still, I should probably make sure it has all it’s updates).
mark
When I first got my on line account from the credit union I put the pass word in a document, when I tried to access my account, I just copied and pasted the pass word since I didn’t have it memorized yet. I could not get in that way, I had to type the individual numbers.
>> It depends on the security your bank has, too.
Mrs. Tick handles the security on our online bank account.
She is in charge of making sure there is so little dough in there that no one would care to break in!
Speaking of site security mechanisms, Treasury Direct has an interesting scheme -- it's a "virtual keyboard" on the login page, and you enter your password by clicking the boxes. They change the layout frequently -- maybe each time you log in but I haven't verified that. It's a PITA to log in, but it seems quite secure to me.
Thanks!
Just recently bought a Apple. So glad I don’t have to fool with this kind of crap!
Apples are susceptible to trojans, so don't get too cocky. There's a huge difference between a virus and a trojan (what a "trojan virus" might actually be, other than idiocy by the wrtier, I have no idea) -- trojans rely primarily on social engineering to get a privileged user to unwittingly install malware and allow it to run. This can happen on any operating system; it's a user issue, not a machine one.
Sounds like Congress/Obama lite to me. Of course they do not sneak into your computer to get at your money, they just take it.
Interesting- yesterday I had the pop up for the GreenAV virus pop up 2x on my pc- I was running IE at the time- back to Firefox now!
I almost fell for it- it’s an alarming looking pop up. In an unusual moment of clarity- I followed my gut and not the hype from the virus writers!
In this case, only if you’re running a Windows OS on a Mac.
This trojan installs only in Windows.
Do you know of a trojan like the Clampi that can successfully install itself on a Mac OS X machine?
By and large most viruses are aimed at windows. Of course I am well aware of your warning and take my own precautions. Still I am very excited over my Apple. Hasn’t frozen up once!!!!
ping
In addition to having all the latest security patches on your PC you need top notch and up to date anti virus software and a good firewall to stop unauthorized outgoing Internet traffic. Note the built in Windows XP firewall only protects from stuff entering your computer not the other way around.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.