Cybercriminals are using malware to go beyond merely swiping passwords and actually "bullying infected users into paying," according to a Fortinet quarterly report on emerging threats.
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Fortinet's fourth quarter report walks through the methods cybercriminals are using to extract dough from victims. The gist: Fortinet is arguing that money making malware will take threats to a new level in 2013.
To wit:
Simda.B poses as a Flash update, gets full installation rights and then swipes your passwords. Then email and social networking accounts spread spam, host malware and take money from online payment accounts.
FakeAlert.D is fake antivirus malware that harasses you into paying for protection, which also has to be a fraud.
Ransom.BE78 holds your personal data hostage. This ransomware installs itself and demand payment to be removed.
Zbot.ANQ is an offshoot of the Zeus virus. It takes your online bank login attempts, prods you to install mobile malware on your smartphone and then hijacks SMS messages from banks and transfers funds.
