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Hackers hit with instant message phishing scam

Online security researchers are warning of a widespread scam that is targeting users of Yahoo! and Gmail chat services.

The phishing attack, which comes in the form of unsolicited instant messages, is aimed at deceiving potential victims into revealing their account log-in details by following a TinyURL link.

Urging users to "check out this video", the link leads the recipients to a website called ViddyHo, where a request for users' usernames and passwords is made, say the experts.

"This is, of course, a classic attempt to phish credentials from the unwary," warns internet security expert Graham Cluley of Sophos.

"The hackers behind ViddyHo could use the credentials they have stolen via their site to break into accounts, grab identity information and impact your wallet."

Commenting on the issue, Rik Ferguson of security vendor Trend Micro is quoted by VNUNET as saying the ruse is likely to work on people due to the fact that the messages appear to be coming from users' friends.

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