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Computer hackers have targeted Grand Theft Auto IV to spread destructive viruses across the world wide web, a leading software security expert revealed today.
The cyber criminals are tempting fans by illegally offering free downloads for bogus versions of the hit game for their PCs.
One specialist detected “Trojan” viruses aimed at the game, which sold six million copies in its first week, within two minutes of logging on.
John Safa, chief technical officer of software security company DriveSentry, said: “People are exploiting the popularity of Grand Theft Auto IV in a way which could bring mayhem to the internet.
“The only thing that many gamers can think of at the moment is Grand Theft Auto IV and hackers are using that interest to try to generate chaos as quickly as they can.”
Enthusiasts are being offered free Grand Theft Auto IV downloads and plug-ins on so-called peer-to-peer networks, where computer users share information without having to go through a central server or website.
Safa, a former hacker, said many young people use these networks to access each other's computers to download files for free and avoid copyright laws.
The cyber criminals are tempting fans by illegally offering free downloads for bogus versions of the hit game for their PCs.
One specialist detected “Trojan” viruses aimed at the game, which sold six million copies in its first week, within two minutes of logging on.
John Safa, chief technical officer of software security company DriveSentry, said: “People are exploiting the popularity of Grand Theft Auto IV in a way which could bring mayhem to the internet.
“The only thing that many gamers can think of at the moment is Grand Theft Auto IV and hackers are using that interest to try to generate chaos as quickly as they can.”
Enthusiasts are being offered free Grand Theft Auto IV downloads and plug-ins on so-called peer-to-peer networks, where computer users share information without having to go through a central server or website.
Safa, a former hacker, said many young people use these networks to access each other's computers to download files for free and avoid copyright laws.
