Golf sites fall into malware sand trap

The amount of malware on golf-related websites increased dramatically in the run up to the Ryder Cup competition, according to a web security firm. 

ScanSafe said that the popularity of Team USA and Tiger Woods had made them an attractive target for malware authors. 

In a sample of results from ScanSafe's beta search tool Scandoo, nearly 30 per cent of searches with terms such as 'Tiger Woods' and 'Tom Lehman' yielded some kind of malware, including spyware, adware and Trojans. 

However, similar searches conducted using the names of European Ryder Cup players produced virtually no malware results.

"Malware authors use the popularity of celebrities such as Tiger Woods and events like the Ryder Cup to spread their programs and infect PCs," said Dan Nadir, vice president of product strategy at ScanSafe.

"It is important for users to remember that even seemingly innocuous web surfing can expose them to potential security risks including inappropriate content, web viruses and spyware that can potentially steal confidential information and passwords."

ScanSafe said that visits to Ryder Cup-related websites increased by 1,000 per cent as the tournament got underway.

Europe won the Ryder Cup for the third successive year, beating the US 18½ to 9½.

See also:

Yahoo and eBay face China malware suits

Anti-Malware Alliance fights 'gangster software'  14 Sep 2006

Malware authors hungry for profit

Hackers creating increasing numbers of Trojans and bots for financial gain  06 Sep 2006

Social networks riddled with malware

One in 600 profiles host infection  10 Aug 2006

Hackers crack secret Google malware search codes

Be afraid, be very afraid  24 Jul 2006

StopBadware.org names and shames malware

Badware Watch List identifies malicious programs  25 May 2006

Poker rootkit turns players into losers

Malware steals your password, then raises with 7-2 offsuit  17 May 2006

Macs 'open target' for malware

McAfee expands security coverage to Macs  07 May 2006

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