Free antivirus offer becomes latest phishing lure

The attacks aim to harvest user details through a bogus offer of free Kaspersky software

A recently discovered attack is putting a new twist on phishing bank accounts.

Customers from Lloyds TSB are being targeted in a new spam phishing attack that claims to offer users a free copy of Kaspersky Internet Security 2009. Users are promised the security software in exchange for filling out an "application" that harvests user data.

The phishing attack plays off a recent round of deals Kaspersky has agreed with banks. Most notably, the company signed a deal to provide free security software to Barclays customers earlier this year.

Banks often partner with security software companies in an effort to lower fraud cases by preventing users from falling victim to malware and phishing attacks.

"It's an interesting tactic, we do work with some UK banks to provide products to their customers, and this might make Lloyds customers think the offer is genuine," wrote Kaspersky researcher Michael Molsner.

Kaspersky is warning users to be on the lookout for such attacks. Molsner also noted that when it does make distribution deals with banks, customers are not notified by unsolicited emails.