Security Experts Warn Football Lovers against Malicious Web-links

CyberDefender, a software security provider, has issued an alert to sports lovers that malicious web-links related to the World Cup are being overwhelmingly placed on some legitimate sites. According to the security vendor, following these links could cause users computers to be compromised.

The security company states that web-links on social-networking websites like Facebook and Twitter may take users to contaminated video files. In case anyone hits on these contaminated web-links, it can result in the download of Trojans, viruses, spyware or other malware on his computer.

Besides the social networks Facebook and Twitter, it is believed that the malicious links are also maligning Digg and Google. Users, who follow the web-links embedded in these sites, will be diverted to other sites, which ask them to play these tickets and win prizes. However, they also ask them to first input their (users) telephone numbers. Subsequently, the sites state that when users carry this, out there'll be a recurring fee.

There are some more cases in which users diverted to splash pages connected with free games, but those pages associate with spam practices, says CyberDefender.

As per the company, a total of over half (55%) of Web-surfers have been contaminated with spyware because of un-protected surfing habits.

Meanwhile, it isn't only CyberDefender which has warned about cyber criminals attempt to exploit the FIFA World Cup. Lately, Websense (another security company) pointed out that hackers and spammers had taken advantage of the human psyche's weak point. For that, they rode on current news events and popular products for carrying out their dirty tasks. According to the company, previous spam outbreaks had frequently provided users with opportunities for winning Xbox 360s, PS3s on the days the devices were launched.

To remain safe from the latest World Cup related scams, Websense and CyberDefender advise all football enthusiasts to visit only reputed or branded websites. Besides, stay away from those websites that present free games, particularly those claiming to give free tickets. Consequently, there'll be significant mitigation of cyber crooks' related dirty ideas and assaults, the companies highlight.

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» SPAMfighter News - 7/8/2010