More hacking targets iTunes, antivirus wares
Published: May 2, 2005, 7:26 AM PDT
By Reuters

Online criminals turned their attention to antivirus software and media players like Apple Computer's iTunes in the first three months of 2005, as they sought new ways to take control of peoples' computers, according to a survey released Monday.

Hackers continued to poke new holes in Microsoft's popular Windows operating system, but they increasingly exploited flaws in software made by other companies as well, the nonprofit SANS Institute found. As more Windows users agreed to receive security upgrades automatically, hackers looked to take advantage of other software programs that might not be patched as frequently, according to the leader of the cybersecurity training and research organization.

Hackers found ways to take control of a user's computer by tunneling through Microsoft's Web browser, media player and instant-messaging software, as well as Windows software for servers and personal computers. But software by Oracle and Computer Associates International also made the list, along with media players like Apple's iTunes, RealNetworks' RealPlayer and Nullsoft's Winamp.