Searching for Anne Curtis’ Swimsuit Malfunction May Trigger Malware

According to security researchers, users shall not search the images of wardrobe malfunctioning of Anne Curtis, as it may be quite dangerous for their systems. Curtis is an Australian-born movie actresses and a TV host.

Right part of Anne's top folded while she was performing a dance number live on a local TV show broadcasted at noontime. News involving this swimsuit disaster rampantly spread in the fourth week of March 2010 as press members captured the mishap and circulated the alleged videos online.

Cyber felons succeeded in making their malicious links as the top-search results when people look out for the videos of this nip-slip incident. The usual blackhat SEO (Search Engine Optimization) techniques were used.

Generally, blackhat SEO technique includes circulating the spam on the Internet with over millions of pages indicating linkbacks to malicious websites hosting the malware. This link spamming victimizes the search engines and induces them to place malicious sites above the legitimate sites. Hence, the users, oblivious of the hiding peril, click these spiteful search results, by downloading and then running the malware on their systems, users end up being infected.

While searching for images of the actress, or similar things, users will often come across the websites claiming that they have the media. However, these sites will in deed start to download TROJ_FAKEAV.ENZ. This will show a bogus warning box, and then will attempt to download malevolent files on systems of the users.

Then, the users may come to know that their system is infected, and the malicious software will try to persuade them to purchase the phony ant-virus solution.

Experts commented that a celeb's demise always serves as an opportunity fro cyber-criminals to make money. The always in controversies Paris Hilton, Farrrah Fawcett, and Brittany Murphy include the other celebs that were used for cyber attacks or for social engineering ploys.

Experts said that the users must exercise caution before clicking on any link, particularly if the search is for news on the happenings and tragedies related to the celebrities. Only the reputed websites must be browsed or considered for the purpose.

To block access to concerned malicious websites and to prevent malware download onto the systems, users must always be equipped by the up-to-date anti-virus programs.

Related article: Searching Michelle McGee Images Triggers Malware

» SPAMfighter News - 4/3/2010