Computer Virus 'Hijacks' American Express Web Site
American Express card holders: Beware that pop-up log-in screen, even on the company's secure Web site.
The credit card and travel services company has issued a warning about what it calls a false "security measures" pop-up screen that appears when users log in to its secure site.
In an alert posted online, the New York-based company included a screenshot of the pop-up, which tries to lure the user into his entering name, Social Security number, mother's maiden name and date of birth.
"Please note that this fraudulent activity may be the result of a computer virus and is not a part of the American Express website. If you received this pop-up box, your computer may have this virus," the company warned.
Security researchers tracking malicious Internet activity say the fake pop-up is a classic example of a banking trojan targeting specific financial institutions, even when the user is surfing on a secure, authenticated Web site.
Phishers and identity thieves thrive on tricking users into visiting fake, look-alike Web sites, but the latest discovery shows just how sophisticated the threat has become, said Roger Thompson, chief technology officer at Exploit Prevention Labs, a security research company in Atlanta.
Reproduced from an article published by FOXNews.com
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