Malware attacks on 327,000 Asian websites

You may have unknowingly exposed your computer to viruses or other malicious software, if you visited websites such as the local classifieds portal listings.com.sg in the last two weeks.

According to information technology security firm F-Secure, up to 10 local websites have been attacked by hackers recently through a Javascript injection. Javascript is a programming language ordinarily used for website development.

During the attack, the hacker sends malicious code to a website. The compromised website directs visitors to another site hosting malicious software — or malware in IT jargon. The malware allows the hackers to steal passwords or access information stored in personal computers if they have not been properly secured.

Over the past weekend alone, 327,000 websites in Asia were attacked using Javascript insertions, according to IT security consultancy Trend Micro. But only a small number of local websites were affected, F-Secure said.