New phishing technique targets governments

Researchers at two different security firms have confirmed that these attacks take place frequently and have grown in number since Lockheed Martin and three of its contractors' sites were infiltrated. The e-mail communications purport to come from the United States' Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA).

Researchers have already identified at least one victim. The malicious software claims to provide a spreadsheet with the names and contact details for 163 high-level officials who attended a recent conference. Once a computer is infected, further malicious software is deployed allowing hackers free access to sensitive information.

Read more:

• Hackers target intelligence agency contractors