More Hackers Target Law Firms, Often 'Spear Fishing' in Spam E-Mail
Computer hackers are targeting law firms as a potential motherlode of confidential information, often relying on “spear fishing” attacks in which personalized spam e-mail appears to come from a trusted individual. While the e-mail itself doesn’t pose a danger, clicking on a link within the e-mail can invite malicious software into the law firm’s computer system,
The trend of focusing hack attacks on law firms began two years ago, according to a FBI advisory, but there has been a “noticeable increase” recently, reports the Associated Press. Law firms representing client corporations that are negotiating major international deals are particularly inviting targets.
“Law firms have a tremendous concentration of really critical, private information,” says Bradford Bleier of the FBI’s cyber division. Hence, sneaking into their computer systems “is a really optimal way to obtain economic, personal and personal security-related information.”
Related earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Law Firms Review Compliance Measures After Attorney Arrests in Insider Cases”
