Hackers exploit 'Kanye West died' rumors to push malware
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Hackers following hot stories on the internet are exploiting the latest news about Kanye West to poison search results with websites containing malware.
False internet rumors suggested that West, the hip-hop artist with a knack for publicity, had died in a car accident this week. The rumors created a storm of web traffic to websites with articles about West's supposed death, which turned out to be a hoax started on the 4chan website.
Security researchers at Sophos spotted malicious websites popping up in search engines after the false reports went viral.
Known as blackhat SEO, hackers use the technique to quickly establish websites full of keywords matching top-trending topics - in this case, "RIP Kanye West," "Kanye West died," and others following that theme.
Web searchers browsing to malicious sites could have their PCs infected by fake anti-virus malware (scareware) or other types of malware that can take over their system for nefarious purposes.
Internet users are advised by security experts to keep their computers secure with up-to-date software and anti-virus scanners - and to use some common sense when browsing to suspicious sites.
Related News:
Banks boost web security with new program - 3.15.2010
A new program designed by web security provider Trusteer allows banks to remotely access computers of its online banking users to investigate potential web and network security breaches.
Estonian cyber criminal jailed for targeting web security - 3.12.2010
The author of the Allaple malware strain that targeted local insurance firms and scores of other websites recently received a prison sentence of nearly three years. Arthur Boiko, a 44-year-old man from Estonia, pled not guilty to the charges, but a jury found him guilty after prosecutors claimed he sought revenge against the insurance company that denied his claim.
Small businesses need stronger web security - 3.11.2010
Cyber criminals have increased efforts to target the bank accounts of small businesses because they frequently do not have the web security measures in place that larger companies do, according to David Nelson of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
UK bankers struggle with online fraud - 3.11.2010
Online banking fraud cost bankers in the UK the equivalent of nearly $90 million in 2009, according business technology website Silicon.com.
Koobface changes as web security professionals prepare attack - 3.11.2010
As web security professionals attempt to take down Koobface, the cyber criminals that designed the malware strain have altered the virus to escape potential elimination, according the Register, a technology news website based in the UK.
|
