C-level execs targeted in new attacks

Around 500 targeted Trojans intercepted on 26 June, says security specialist

The number of targeted Trojans has risen dramatically in the last month, with the discovery of attacks aimed at 500 C-level executives and their families, according to managed security services firm MessageLabs.

The attacks consist of a Trojan hidden inside a Word document with each separate email tailored to each individual to make it more convincing, with name and job title in the subject line, said MessageLabs' chief security analyst Mark Sunner.

"We have seen targeted Trojans before but in low numbers," he added. "If this is a tiny splinter [we intercepted], what are the chances there are actually Trojans on executives machines shipping confidential data back to a bad source? "

The attack could be the work of a new criminal gang, given the level of sophistication and coordination, although readily-available malware toolkits will make this kind of attack easier to perpetrate, Sunner explained.

"People need to be aware of the potential pitfalls of keying in information about themselves [on sites like MySpace]," he warned.

MessageLabs also reported that criminals have made increasing efforts to gain access to executives' home PCs by targeting family members.