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Hackers target mainstream websites to spread malware

Hackers are ditching email and embracing websites as their new accessory for spreading malware and viruses that pose online threats, a security expert has claimed.

According to online security firm Sophos, many organisations have tightened email security through filtering systems making it difficult for cyber crooks to get through, reports Computer Weekly.

This has made the crooks turn to infecting webpages including those of well established firms with invisible codes where unsuspecting internet users expose themselves to infection by simply visiting the sites.

According to Sophos, a new infected page is detected every five seconds with more than 90 per cent being from legitimate websites.

"The fact that those sorts of sites can be infected should be a warning to all businesses that they had better harden their defences on the web front," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.

The Times reported earlier this week that the NHS website and some government and consumer websites were among those that had been infected by such invisible viruses.

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