forwardone
06-10-05, 08:49 PM
Jackson suicide attempt email is a virus
http://images.thetimes.co.uk/images/trans.gifA spam email claiming that Michael Jackson has tried to commit suicide is a front for a virus, a British computer security company has warned.
The email, which is written in poor English and whose subject line is "Re: Suicidal aattempt", invites readers to click on a link to a website, which then sends a "Trojan horse" virus into their computers. The virus infects computers with annoying programs known as "malware".
Sophos, a computer security company, put a warning about the email on its website today after the company discovered hundreds of the spam messages making their way across computer networks.
"If you click on the link, the website displays a message saying it is too busy, which may not surprise people who think it might contain genuine breaking news about Michael Jackson," reads the warning.
"However, this is a diversionary tactic -- because behind the scenes the website is downloading malware onto the user's computer without their knowledge."
The current virus is not the first to take advantage of interest in the struggles of Mr Jackson, who is currently the jury's verdict in his trial on child molestation and kidnapping charges in California. Last year, a spam email claiming that incriminating video footage of Mr Jackson had been discovered was a front for a similar virus.
"The sick minds behind viruses and other malware often exploit celebrity names and news stories in an attempt to infect as many people as possible," said Carole Theriault, a security consultant at Sophos.
"All computer users should be very careful about clicking on weblinks in unsolicited email or launching unknown attachments."
What warped minds some people have! :(
Geoff
http://images.thetimes.co.uk/images/trans.gifA spam email claiming that Michael Jackson has tried to commit suicide is a front for a virus, a British computer security company has warned.
The email, which is written in poor English and whose subject line is "Re: Suicidal aattempt", invites readers to click on a link to a website, which then sends a "Trojan horse" virus into their computers. The virus infects computers with annoying programs known as "malware".
Sophos, a computer security company, put a warning about the email on its website today after the company discovered hundreds of the spam messages making their way across computer networks.
"If you click on the link, the website displays a message saying it is too busy, which may not surprise people who think it might contain genuine breaking news about Michael Jackson," reads the warning.
"However, this is a diversionary tactic -- because behind the scenes the website is downloading malware onto the user's computer without their knowledge."
The current virus is not the first to take advantage of interest in the struggles of Mr Jackson, who is currently the jury's verdict in his trial on child molestation and kidnapping charges in California. Last year, a spam email claiming that incriminating video footage of Mr Jackson had been discovered was a front for a similar virus.
"The sick minds behind viruses and other malware often exploit celebrity names and news stories in an attempt to infect as many people as possible," said Carole Theriault, a security consultant at Sophos.
"All computer users should be very careful about clicking on weblinks in unsolicited email or launching unknown attachments."
What warped minds some people have! :(
Geoff