Security firm: Google's Orkut being used to spread Trojans
Someone is using Orkut to spread Trojan links in a message disguised as an official e-mail from the Google-owned social network, according to an alert from security firm Websense released Tuesday.
The message, written in Portuguese to appeal to Orkut's many Brazilian members, looks like it is sent from an Orkut member who is looking for love, Websense says.
"The message contains several links that appear to lead to the official Orkut Web site. Clicking on a link actually leads to a malicious executable file, which is a Trojan Downloader named 'imagem.exe,'" the Websense alert says. "The malicious file opens the legitimate Orkut network log-in page, and in the background downloads a password stealing Trojan named 'msn.exe.'"
The Trojans are hosted on a compromised labor union Web site from southern Brazil, according to Websense.
A Google spokesman said the company was investigating the matter.
Elinor Mills covers Internet security and privacy. She joined CNET News in 2005 after working as a foreign correspondent for Reuters in Portugal and writing for The Industry Standard, the IDG News Service, and the Associated Press. E-mail Elinor. 
