Jacko death probe spam a threat to bank account numbers, passwords
4 Jul 2009, 1016 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

Washington, July 4 Beware of any emails regarding the investigation into King of Pop Michael Jackson's death, for they may be spam messages that infect computers with a virus able to steal bank account numbers and passwords.

Expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have revealed that they began tracking the celebrity-focused spam early on June 30.

"We've been tracking the cyber criminals behind this spam and the associated virus for many weeks, but it is just today that they have shifted their strategy by embedding their virus into an e-mail that claims to link you to a Web site that will reveal Michael Jackson's killer," said Gary Warner, UAB's director of research in computer forensics.

"The spam related to this virus has taken many forms, including e-cards, shipment tracking links and, most recently, a fake update to Microsoft Outlook, but with the high interest in Michael Jackson's death the cyber criminals decided to change their delivery method to capitalize on that," he added.

The message in the Jackson virus spam reads "Michael Jackson was killed ... but who killed Michael Jackson."

Warner said that anyone who clicks on the message won't find an answer to the question.

"If you click on that e-mail and go to the page the cyber criminals have linked to the message, your computer is immediately infected with malware," he said.

He warned that the malware is capable of stealing bank account information and passwords from computer hard drives.

The virus also will redirect certain Google searches performed on an infected computer, meaning the malware inserts links to other virus-infected pages into the top positions of search results.

That, according to Warner, means that search results that unsuspecting users would otherwise think valid are actually portals to other virus programs and malware. (ANI)

Related Latest

Protest against death of a local youth in Jammu and Kashmir BB assassination probe commission asks Pak to arrange meeting with Musharraf, ISI officials Jap bank bosses in the dock for calling female workers' boobs "honkers" Jordan's cage fighter beau reveals cross-dress death threats What happens to your email account after you die? 30 minutes of jogging or cycling cuts early death risk from heart disease Threat of extinction grows for many species Margaret Thatcher saw Berlin Wall's fall as German threat to peace, stability Railway orders probe into the train mishap in Gonda 'Chinese Air Force will never pose a military threat to any country'

Related Latest

Two police officers embark on bicycle rally to spread message of unity Madhu Koda to remain in hospital for another day Middle order has not performed consistently in the series, says Dhoni TMC-CPM workers clash, Maoists kill three ahead of CM's visit in Midnapore Fake currency worth Rs 900,000 seized in Punjab Allahabad hosts Ganga Water Rally to accelerate tourism industry in Uttar Pradesh Over 60 percent turnout in Assembly by-polls; 53 percent in Firozabad LS poll Madhu Koda's associate sent to ten days in Enforcement Directorate custody Congress-NCP alliance forms government in Maharashtra for the second time Gold lovers in Chennai see gold as a promising investment

• Two police officers embark on bicycle rally to spread message of unity
• Madhu Koda to remain in hospital for another day
• Middle order has not performed consistently in the series, says Dhoni
• TMC-CPM workers clash, Maoists kill three ahead of CM's visit in Midnapore
• Over 60 percent turnout in Assembly by-polls; 53 percent in Firozabad LS poll

• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights
• Nine tips for nine nights
• need new prevention tech for HIV, other STIs and UP
• "Good health is India's basic need": Easier said than done Mr Prime Minister!