Symantec highlights Skype vulnerability

Computer security firm Symantec has updated its security blog with a post regarding a virus that could affect users of VoIP service Skype.

The blog identifies the “Tojan Peskyspy” malware file, “that records VoIP communications, specifically targeting Skype”. The post also said that “its existence isn’t due to any problems with Skype itself”, but that it was targeted “simply because it has such a large install base”.

Gerry Egan, Symantec’s director of security response, told CNET the Trojan has the ability of “hooking… through some Windows APIs into some audio streams”, which “can be intercepted, turned into MP3 files, and then sent over a remote channel to a remote electronic eavesdropper.”

The Trojan can infect a computer through infected internet sites, files attached to emails and fake sites that attempt to emulate the appearance of popular websites such as Google or YouTube.