Post by sherlew (Ret) on Aug 24, 2009 20:04:00 GMT -6
Via infopackets
Don't be Duped: Obama Spam Scam is Nothing But False Promises
Link to article
* by Carlo Orlando on 20090824 @ 02:32PM EST | google it | send to friends
* Filed under Business | Microsoft | (related terms: obama, malware, install, political, ploy)
Hackers have launched a new wave of malware attacks against critics of Barack Obama, duping users into a supposed cyber "protest" against the policies of the US President.
Nothing could be further from the truth, however. The message has been cited as a mere ploy to get users to install malware on their machines. (Source: sfgate.com)
So why are so many falling for it? Read on.
A Hot Political Issue
Few people can argue that Obama's rise to the Presidency was a historic feat. However, it is often forgotten that while the majority of democratic voters chose Obama, hundreds of thousands did not vote for him.
This is not a political statement: only sheer facts; but now it seems, spammers are attempting to capitalize on this discrepancy.
Obama Spam Trap: Avoid
The dubious email letter offers readers a chance to use their computers to launch a denial-of-service (DoS) attack on the website of President Obama.
The claim is false, however, and is likely a ploy to get users to install software that does harm to their own PCs. Regardless of your political stance, "installing such software is a really bad idea," email security site Proofpoint says. (Source: theregister.co.uk)
The email message goes on to say "If you don't like Obama, come here. You can help to DoS his site with your installs." (Source: cnet.com)
The message also contains a link where interested people are [falsely] offered money to install the alleged denial-of-service (DoS) software. The spam-driven site asks visitors to return frequently to the site so they may receive updated versions of the denial-of-service software. (Source: geekpolice.net)
DoS Software is Likely Malware
By definition, Denial of Service software is classified as malware. That said, we don't recommend that you install such software as it is likely a ploy for some other form of malware (or Trojan) -- something much worse, which could lead to identity theft.
Don't be Duped: Obama Spam Scam is Nothing But False Promises
Link to article
* by Carlo Orlando on 20090824 @ 02:32PM EST | google it | send to friends
* Filed under Business | Microsoft | (related terms: obama, malware, install, political, ploy)
Hackers have launched a new wave of malware attacks against critics of Barack Obama, duping users into a supposed cyber "protest" against the policies of the US President.
Nothing could be further from the truth, however. The message has been cited as a mere ploy to get users to install malware on their machines. (Source: sfgate.com)
So why are so many falling for it? Read on.
A Hot Political Issue
Few people can argue that Obama's rise to the Presidency was a historic feat. However, it is often forgotten that while the majority of democratic voters chose Obama, hundreds of thousands did not vote for him.
This is not a political statement: only sheer facts; but now it seems, spammers are attempting to capitalize on this discrepancy.
Obama Spam Trap: Avoid
The dubious email letter offers readers a chance to use their computers to launch a denial-of-service (DoS) attack on the website of President Obama.
The claim is false, however, and is likely a ploy to get users to install software that does harm to their own PCs. Regardless of your political stance, "installing such software is a really bad idea," email security site Proofpoint says. (Source: theregister.co.uk)
The email message goes on to say "If you don't like Obama, come here. You can help to DoS his site with your installs." (Source: cnet.com)
The message also contains a link where interested people are [falsely] offered money to install the alleged denial-of-service (DoS) software. The spam-driven site asks visitors to return frequently to the site so they may receive updated versions of the denial-of-service software. (Source: geekpolice.net)
DoS Software is Likely Malware
By definition, Denial of Service software is classified as malware. That said, we don't recommend that you install such software as it is likely a ploy for some other form of malware (or Trojan) -- something much worse, which could lead to identity theft.