In a new phishing trend, spammers are focusing on individualized attacks. Recipients may be deceived into thinking the message is from a friend but these spammers want access to their credit card accounts!

The emails feature the recipients’ names in the subject lines, claim to have seen them at Starbucks and ask them to click on a link to view photos. Don’t click!!! It’s a scam!!! Those that take the bait may be exposed to objectionable material, incur unauthorized charges to their banking account, and may fall victim to identity theft.

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An internet firm linked to many of the internet’s criminal gangs has been shut down.

The US Federal Trade Commission said Belize-based 3FN aided gangs that ran botnets, carried out phishing attacks and traded in images of child abuse.

The servers and net hardware of 3FN have been seized and are due to be sold off as the firm is dismantled.

The operators of 3FN must also pay back $1.08m (£750,000 ) they are reputed to have made by hosting criminal sites. MORE