Hackers spoof MSNBC alerts in new twist on massive malware ruse

Hackers trying to plant malware on PCs have switched from touting news supposedly from CNN in come-on messages to pushing breaking stories said to be from rival network MSNBC, security experts said today.

The fake messages pose with subject headings that include the phrase "Breaking News," along with phony headlines, such as "Jerry Yang relinquishes control over Yahoo," "Mary-Kate Olsen responsible for Heath Ledger's death" and "Plane crashes into prep school, hundreds of kids killed," said researchers at F-Secure Corp. and Sophos PLC.

Last week, security vendors had warned users of a massive scam that used messages masquerading as news alerts from CNN. At its peak, the blitz dumped nearly 11 million messages an hour on users.