Phishing email hijacks Windows 8 launch

Cybercriminals don't waste much time these days.

Keep on top of trends and significant events, whether it is PayPal's changing terms and conditions, an overdue student loan or the launch of a new tech product -- any hook that cybercriminals can use will be exploited.

The recent launch of Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system is no exception.

Security experts at Sophos have reported a new trend in the phishing world, a shift from "Nigerian princes" or the down-and-out lawyer who needs your help transferring million of dollars from an account in Saudi Arabia. Instead, jumping on the Windows 8 bandwagon, a new email lure promises to let Internet users upgrade their Windows operating system for free.

It was only Friday that Windows 8 was officially launched, but even still, emails like the example below are now clogging up our spam-filled inboxes:

Tempted to hand over the keys to your castle? If you click the link, you will be forwarded to a Slovakian web server that features a grinning lady sweetly asking you for your username, password, email address and server domain name.

Luckily, this is not the most sophisticated phishing attempt on record, and the Slovakian page should ring enough alarm bells that few will fall for such a trick.

Image credit: Sophos