The launch capped weeks of speculation about what Apple would launch

Cyber conmen are cashing in on hype surrounding Apple's iPad.

Security firms have come across attempts to subvert search engines to catch out those seeking more information about the tablet.

Those who follow rogue links are re-directed to pages that scan their computer looking for loopholes and vulnerabilities.

Some scammers are using these to peddle security software and others are trying to steal valuable data.

Apple attack

Before and after the launch of the tablet computer, terms such as "Apple" and "iPad" were among the most popular on search sites and micro-blogging services such as Twitter.

Symantec said it had seen hi-tech criminals tuning booby-trapped webpages to show up near the top of search results when people go looking for more information.

Those visiting such webpages risk losing personal data, Symantec researcher Joji Hamada warned in a blog posting.

Looking for search terms such as "Apple Ipad rumor" or "Apple Ipad size" led people to sites peddling rogue security software, he said.