Email hackers targeting c-level executives with precision malware looking to harvest intellectual information from them. Last month, Internet security firm, MessageLabs intercepted as many as 500 emails laced with malware targeted against individuals in senior managerial positions.
The precision attacks in the form of emails--often mentioning the name of the executive, his designation and other such personal information--are intended to lure the executives to open malicious attachments, say experts. According to an analysis by MessageLabs, 30 per cent of the attacks were aimed at chief investment officers, 11 per cent were directed against CEOs; other job titles among the top ten targets included CIOs, CFOs, directors of research, directors of development and company presidents.
Source: Chief Executive, http://www.chiefexecutive.net