LONDON (Reuters) – Computer hackers will open a new front in the multi-billion pound “cyberwar” in 2007, targeting mobile phones, instant messaging and community Web sites such as MySpace, security experts predict.

As people grow wise to email scams, criminal gangs will find new ways to commit online fraud, sell fake goods or steal corporate secrets.

“The attacks are becoming more sophisticated,” said Dave Rand of Internet security firm Trend Micro. “It’s all about making money. And they’re making a lot of it,” he told Reuters.

In 2007, hackers will be scouring social networking sites such as MySpace to gather information for more focused attacks on people’s computers.

“It is definitely an area that is ripe for more exploitation by malware (malicious software),” said Ed English, Trend Micro’s Chief Technology Officer for anti-spyware.

People could find their computers infected with viruses that secretly record all their keystrokes or send out millions of spam email messages.

Identity theft fraudsters will trawl through sites which allow people to leave their pictures and personal details, finding targets for “phishing” attacks — fraudulent emails aimed at tricking people into revealing credit card numbers.

“It is way too easy for the spyware guys to assemble a puzzle of who you are,” English said.

Hackers will also target people using instant messaging services or making telephone calls over the Internet in 2007, Trend Micro said.

MOBILE PHONES ARE TARGETS “Read why“ 

OSA Editorial Comments:

Great story and information, it’s time to say: “enough is enough” or scream out from the rooftops that We as an Internet family have to band together and force politicians, the Federal Government, and International leaders to make changes in how we treat Cyber Criminals.

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