Hackers hit BitTorrent, plant fake antivirus

Hackers broke into the site of peer-to-peer software maker BitTorrent this week, replacing some of the files available for download with a fake anti-virus “scareware" program. In a blog post, BitTorrent said the attack compromised its web servers, but added its servers were back online and functioning normally after a few hours. “We have completed preliminary testing of the malware. Upon installation, a program called ‘Security Shield’ launches and pops up warnings that a virus has been detected. It then prompts a user for payment to remove the virus. We recommend anyone who downloaded software between 4:20 a.m. and 6:10 a.m. PT run a security scan of their computer," it said. Only users who downloaded software from utorrent.com or bittorrent.com between 4:20 and 6:10 a.m. Pacific time were affected, it said. Still, BitTorrent also apologized for the incident. “We take the security of our systems and the safety of our users very seriously. We sincerely apologize to any users who were affected," it said. It also said it does not believeBitTorrent.com or the BitTorrent Mainline/Chrysalis clients were part of the incident. — TJD, GMA News