Attackers Target Gamers with Spyware

March 23, 2007

Online players of the video game Omerta have more than the rival gangsters in the computer game to worry about. According to anti-spyware vendor Sunbelt Software, of Clearwater, Fla., cyber-thieves have been spreading spyware disguised as software from Omerta Game Ltd.

Sunbelt Software President Alex Eckelberry warned users to be wary of any software for the game that's not from Omerta. Attackers are trying to trick users into downloading piece of malware called ProAgent that captures and logs keystrokes on a computer, he said.

"ProAgent is a very, very nasty piece of malware," Eckelberry said in an interview with eWEEK. "The problem is that users need to only use software that is from a verified, reputable source, not something they get off some obscure site like we've seen with Omerta."

The posting of the threat to users comes on the heels of Microsoft announcing March 21 that it had opened an investigation into reports of hijackers getting user account information.

While he was unsure if this was a trend for hackers to use online video games as an attack vector, Eckelberry said cyber-criminals are always looking for ways to get information.

"What you have now is a largely criminal element trying to find ways to trick people through social engineering," he said. "Players of games are merely one more avenue of exploitation.

Omerta officials have not responded to an e-mail request for comment.

Editor's Note: This story was updated to include information and comments from Sunbelt Software.
Copyright 2007 by Ziff Davis Media, Distributed by United Press International