It wasn’t a matter of ‘if’ this would occur, but ‘when’. This time the crims are using a botnet that uses the social networking tool as a command and control structure to distribute malware. This allows these guys to get info through a phishing site pretending to be certain Brazilian banks. Picked up by software/interent security specialist Symantec, this will probably be the start of a whole new genre of malware/spyware that will invade the cyberspace social networks. Symantec says this new threat is called Infostealer.Bancos, so if you see anything on your Twitter stream resembling this piece of malware, ignore it and let Twitter know. I’ve learned over the years that good security software and constant vigilance are the only ways to stop these guys getting to your bank accounts. I know they are a pain, and we all wish there was something that could stop them in their tracks. Unfortunately, other than the perpetrators being caught on occasion by law enforcement agencies, they are here to stay. Also, most of these guys come out of places like Russia and China where the intrinsic regimes are corrupt, or have more important things to worry about. Every time there is a popular new product in the cyber world, the cyber crims are not far behind. Bear that in mind when you first start using the latest product or service from the net. And remember too, that the way in which you are ripped off will depend on whether the bank will reimburse you. Always be suspicious of offers that seem too good to be true, and always report a phishing site to the authorities – they will close it down