Signed, Sealed, Delivered (You're pwned)

Bad sorts have created a malware targeted at Symbian mobile phones that comes signed with an apparently valid Symbian Certificate.

Because it is signed the application can potentially gain privileged access, net security firm F-secure warns. The malware is also unusual because it is targeted at S60 3rd Edition phones, instead of the more common target of 2nd edition phones.

The Yxe-A Trojan originates in China and is packaged up with names such as "Sexy View" and "Play Boy", providing an indication that social engineering trickery plays a part in pushing the code. F-Secure describes the malware as a Trojan but other vendors describe it as a worm, in recognition of the discovery of what might be described as auto-spreading capabilities.

Posted by Justin Payton in Adware, Spyware and Trojans at 15:30

A handful of Canadian women were scammed out of almost $300,000 in a Nigerian romance hoax, the Edmonton, Alberta, Sun reported.

For one woman, the online dating scheme started when the unidentified middle-aged divorcee received text messages last year from a man about 10 years younger than her.

"They said, 'You know, you're a very pretty lady, I like your profile,'" the victim told the Edmonton Sun. "You feel very flattered."

After several more e-mails, instant messages and phone calls, the man promised to come to Canada and marry her.

Then came the requests for money, including one that claimed the man's son was hospitalized and needed three surgeries, the Sun reported.

Posted by Justin Payton in Adware, Spyware and Trojans at 09:47