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Experts warn of 'local news' malware development

Computer criminals are developing malware capable of pinpointing the geographical location of a potential victim so as to make scams seem more convincing, experts have warned.

With both businesses and private users now warned to be on their guard against phishing attacks, whereby they are sent emails purporting to be from reputable sources which require them to follow links to unknown online destinations, researchers have reported that this latest ruse could serve to make social networking scams seem more realistic.

According to the Register, fraudsters are already trying out this technique by sending email messages telling of a terrorist attack close to the target's location.

"When users click on the video they are prompted to download the latest version of 'Flash Player'," the report warned.

"But the software on offer turns out to be nothing to do with Adobe, instead coming loaded with the latest variant of the Waledac worm."

Meanwhile, US ISP Comcast has confirmed that it has fallen victim to data loss, with the firm now contacting thousands of customers whose personal information has been compromised.

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