Halloween malware hits PCs

A gang of hackers is tempting PC users into playing a Halloween-themed game that contains malware and installs a Trojan horse onto their machine, according to IT security and control firm Sophos.

Once installed, the Trojan horse gives hackers remote access to the infected PC.

Web users are directed to the Trojan Horse by spam emails that provide a link to a site offering a download of a dancing skeleton game. These emails have a variety of subject lines including the following: ‘Happy Halloween’, ‘Dancing Bones’, ‘The most amazing dancing skeleton’, ‘Show this to the kids’, ‘Send this to your friends’ and ‘Man this rocks’.

"This is just the latest incarnation of the ecard campaign, also known as Storm, which has dominated the malware scene for months," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos.

"The gang responsible are experts at choosing topical disguises and crafting alluring emails that the unwary may find difficult to resist," Cluley added.

www.sophos.com/security/blog/2007/10/720.html

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