Fake CNN malware attack spins Gaza angle

Updated on: 14 January,2009 12:34 PM IST |
Shashank Shekhar |

Virus hidden in news clip infects computers

Virus hidden in news clip infects computers

There is an online dimension to the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Cyber crooks are targeting people who are logging on to various news websites to update themselves over the Isarel's offensive in the region.

Internet security providers have noticed an email that appears to have come from a top news channel, showing first and exclusive pictures of Israel's bombardment of Gaza which actually plants a malware into your computer.

"Within the body of the email there is a link to a video of Al Jazeera report related to the news," International internet security provider Trend Micro pointed out.

The link takes the netizen to a phishing site that looks like a CNN web page. The page shows a "click to play" icon where an error message pops out, if it is clicked. The message asks: "Please Download correct Flash Movie Player!"

In Malspam attacks, a message like this results in the download of a fake Flash player file which contains malware. The file is identified as "Adobe_Player10.exe".

u00a0Security researchers are currently warning online users of this serious threat as they suspect thousands of these fake CNN News phishing emails have been sent out.

This malware does not only hacks into the computer but also becomes a information stealer that may log keystrokes that launches a sniffer to gain access to your password. Delhi-based ethical hackers said, "There are many Indians looking for latest update and exclusive videos online so they are easy prey to such hackers.
The malware and the fake website is designed with such accuracy that it is hard to detect their fraud."

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