Scams disguise malicious software as apps says Bitdefender

As people look for ways to earn extra income or find jobs online, cyber criminals are cashing in by setting up money-making scams.

Online get-rich-quick scams have been around for years, but criminals are now setting up websites that host malicious software, disguised as apps, which they can download to their victims' PCs.

Security firm Bitdefender has uncovered several sites including one called Income Hybrid where the fraudsters install 'Trojan.Fraud.A'. This Trojan then acts as "digital billboard," spamming people by fetching content and displaying it to the person whose PC is infected.

Catalin Cosoi, Bitdefender's chief security researcher, said: "Get-rich-quick scams have been heavily flogged on the internet for years – they're a great source of cash for those who sell them.

"Once downloaded and installed, though, these applications are saved in Program Files and add shortcuts on the desktop and at start up. The shortcuts, the application and the HTML pages bear the same teasing name with suggestive colourful icons clearly meant to build the trust of the targeted victims.

"The user only needs to pay a one-time for the application to start amassing a small fortune. It all appears easy and at hand."