Hackers cash in on US shootings

Online criminals are already attempting to cash in on the Virginia Tech massacre, experts have warned.

Hackers have sent out thousands of emails offering camera phone footage of the shootings.

But a link to a Brazilian website actually hides a programme which steals banking information.

The malicious programme, known as spyware, attempts to steal banking passwords and other information from the computers of online bankers.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos, an IT security firm, labelled the move "sick".

He said: "The hackers have no qualms about making money out of other people's misery."

In the past, hackers used natural disasters and atrocities such as Hurricane Katrina, the Boxing Day tsunami and the London bombings to hide similar attacks.

Mr Cluley said computer users should make sure their anti-virus software is up to date and to be cautious of unsolicited emails.

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