Grand theft personal information

2008-05-01

Helen Martin

Virus Bulletin, UK

Editor: Helen Martin

Abstract

Scammers exploit release of Grand Theft Auto IV.

Large volumes of spam were spotted late last month coinciding with the release of the latest version of the computer game Grand Theft Auto. Taking advantage of the popularity of the game, spammers sent messages offering free entry to a prize draw to win a PlayStation 3 loaded with the new version of the game. Of course, the prize draw did not really exist and the spammed emails contained various malicious programs designed to infect the recipients’ computers and steal personal information.

Grand Theft Auto IV was released to a frenzied reception last month – UK newspapers reported at least two instances of violence having flared up among queues of customers waiting outside high-street shops to get their hands on a copy. With such an eagerly anticipated product – and retailers unable in many instances to fulfil demand – the opportunity was ripe for scammers to exploit.

According to UK-based mail filtering company ClearMyMail.com, more than half of the spam it blocked on the day of the game’s release related to Grand Theft Auto, with the majority of those messages containing viruses and spyware.

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