Friday, 7 June 2013

Phishing attack targets Yahoo users

Concept image of URL bar and fishing hook representing phishing
A new phishing attack is looking to trick Yahoo Mail users into handing over their account credentials.
Researchers with Zscaler ThreatLabz are reporting that the attacks, which are being spread through a spam campaign, look to spoof the Yahoo login page in order to collect user account names and passwords.
According to Zscaler, the attackers send victims a phony notification message warning that unless action is taken, the user account will be suspended. The message also includes a link to the phishing page, which poses as the Yahoo login screen.
In addition to spoofing the Yahoo notification and login systems, the attack looks to capitalise on looming confusion over transitions at Yahoo to new services and interfaces.
Zscaler ThreatLabz researcher Julien Sobrier said: “Yahoo is now shutting down its Yahoo Mail classic interface and forcing users to their new e-mail platform. This will no doubt be another great opportunity for phishers to take advantage of confused users.”
The attack could also trick users who are confused about the switch many sites are making to new security platforms and protections. Though the introduction of two-factor authentication has been widely hailed by security experts as a valuable additional security component, confusion over how such systems will roll out could leave users vulnerable.
“Two-factor authentication has been in the news a fair bit lately as LinkedIn and Twitter have recently begun to offer the feature,” explained Sobrier. “We encountered an example whereby a phisher actually took advantage of heightened awareness of two-factor authentication to aid in an attack.”

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