Virus alert: Security vendors warn of "sick" Trojan

Malicious program preys on altruism...

Anti-virus companies have warned that a malicious Trojan horse program posing as an email donation form for the American Red Cross, which actually steals credit card details, is in the wild.

When the email attachment is opened, the Septer.Trojan program prompts victims to fill in a donation form claiming to pledge support to the 11 September relief effort.

Instead the credit card information is sent to a server not affiliated with the Red Cross.

Security vendor Symantec said that although the Trojan is deemed low-risk, it fears the program could dupe people into clicking out of altruism.