Apple iPhone users are the latest target of hackers trying to infect Windows PCs, according to security firm Sophos.

The company says cybercriminals are sending spam emails with subject lines such as 'Virtual iPhone games!', 'Apple: The most popular game!' and 'Virtual iPhone toys!' in an effort to encourage iPhone owners to download a malicious file.

The emails are sent with an attachment called Penguin.Panic.zip, which poses as a version of the platform game for the iPhone. But Sophos' senior technology consultant Graham Cluley said the file actually contains a Trojan Horse which infects Windows PCs.

"Games, of course, are hugely popular with people young and old these days - and there is a real buzz about games on the new Apple iPhone, especially because of the new App Store and the device's use of an accelerometer to introduce some Nintendo-like innovative gameplay," said Cluley in a blog posting.

"Hackers, it seems, are jumping on the bandwagon of the iPhone phenomenon and using it as a springboard to infect innocent users. As always, you should exercise extreme caution if you receive an email like this - and never run unsolicited attachments."

News Source: PC World