Hackers target online gamers

A new trojan has been released which specifically targets players on an online MMORPG (Massive Multi-player Online Role Playing Game).

The Legmir-Y trojan aims to obtain password and user information from players of Lineage. Legmir-Y also attempts to disable any anti-virus software installed on a user's machine.

In a statement released by internet security company Sophos, Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant, said: "It's sad to think that people will be so desperate to do better in a virtual world that they're actually prepared to commit a real crime."

The fantasy game is played globally, and is particularly popular in South Korea. Player's pay between US$15 and US$20 to play. The longer a player spends in the game world, the stronger their 'online persona' becomes, giving the player greater competitive advantage. It is these identities which the trojan attempts to acquire.

Lineage is not the first online game to be targeted by viruses and trojans. In December 2004 a British youth received a six-month suspended sentence for his role in the spread of the Randex worm, which gained player points in Outwar.