Scammers, hackers target children online to install malicious software, steal parents’ data

SYDNEY & AUCKLAND – September 22, 2011 – Scammers and hackers are increasingly targeting children with a series of online games that trick them into installing malicious software onto computers.

Games that invite kids to nurture online kittens, allow them to paint pumpkins and witches, or ‘spot the differences’ between two similar images, are being laced with malware that could give scammers access to the kids’ parents financial data or recruit the kids’ computers into international networks, or botnets, aimed at further criminal activity.

“Some scams might raise suspicions of adults – particularly when they seek to install software on the computer or redirect computer users to suspicious web sites,” said Catalin Cosoi, head of online threats lab at Bitdefender. “So the scammers are going for easier targets. Kids are more easily tempted into clicking on that big green download button or flashing icon in hopes of having more fun. A four-year-old, obviously, isn’t worried about online banking vulnerabilities.”

The problem is only set to grow as children spend more time on the internet and parents often neglect to supervise their online activity. A Bitdefender online survey shows that about 46.6 per cent of children in the US and the UK have their own social network accounts and that 24.7 per cent of parents don’t monitor their kids’ online activity. Of the 1,649 adults surveyed between April 12 and July 10, 44.3 per cent said their children had accessed sites that they shouldn’t have.

Bitdefender analysts in the past week have discovered more than half a dozen samples of eye-catching Flash games rigged with Trojans that could steer kids to web pages that install malicious software potentially capable of stealing financial information or injecting spyware onto the machines.

Games are not the only online threats for children. Sites with educational and entertaining materials for children have been used to lure young computer users.

A few malware discoveries by Bitdefender include a site where children ‘adopt’ and grow virtual pets. The ‘magic brush’ application that changed the colour of the pet was altered to route children toward malware. An Italian ‘online kids land’ was also hacked and rigged to expose all visitors to malware and retail sites with stuffed animals have been rigged with malicious software. 

In all cases, the malicious code was planted in a hacking attack on legitimate, high-traffic websites. But games are not the only online threats for children. Sites with educational and entertaining materials for children have been used to lure young computer users.

Consider the following steps to protect children:

         Never let them use the computer while logged in as an administrator. Instead, create a limited account with the child’s name. This will prevent them from installing applications, modifying critical system settings or deleting system files that might damage the operating system.

         Use an antivirus: some pieces of malware have been designed to run even on limited accounts. In this case, a good antivirus may be the last line of defence.

         Use parental control: not all hacks against children’s sites lead to malware. Sometimes, cyber-scammers redirect kids to pornography or violent content.

All product and company names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and are the property of, and may be trademarks of, their respective owners.

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About BitDefender

Bitdefender is the creator of one of the world's fastest and most effective lines of internationally certified internet security software. Since 2001, the company has been an industry pioneer, introducing and developing award-winning protection. Today, Bitdefender technology secures the digital experience of 400 million home and corporate users across the globe.

Recently, the company has won a range of key independent recommendations in the US, UK and across Europe, including ConsumerSearch, Which?, Stiftung Warentest and Taenk. Bitdefender antivirus technology has also finished top in leading industry tests from both AV Test and AV-Comparatives. More information about Bitdefender and its products is available from the company's security solutions press room. Additionally, Bitdefender publishes Malware City providing the latest updates on security threats and helping users stay informed in the everyday battle against malware.