Identity Theft Ring Uses Job Ads

Fraudulent job ads on Monster.com and other websites have been used to obtain personal information to steal thousands of identities, reports Information Week. Researchers at security company Symantec uncovered a major database containing 1.6 million pieces of personal information on an undisclosed number of people who clicked on the ads. The ads infect computers with viruses which obtain sensitive information.

The data is apparently being stolen and stockpiled by a single hacker group. A Symantec executive said Monster is working with investigators. "These types of attacks can happen to any kind of site," warned a Symantec official. "Presenting a safe and secure commercial site is a lot harder than it used to be." (More Symantec stories.)