Sophos Cautions People about Spam Mails on Michael Jackson

According to the security vendor 'Sophos', hackers are taking advantage of Michael Jackson's death in attempts to deceive people into divulging their private information, as reported by PC ADVISOR on June 26, 2009.

The security firm reveals that not even 24 hours had passed since the famous pop singer died, users began to receive e-mails that apparently offered crucial details of the star's tragic demise.

The firm also discloses that the spam mail contains neither any link to be clicked on nor a phone number to be called at. Further, the e-mail ID in the 'From' space is a fake. However, spammers could obtain the e-mail IDs of recipients through a freely available active e-mail ID provided their spam messages are answered.

Graham Cluley, Senior Technology Consultant at Sophos, states that hackers are relatively fast to grab on breaking news to spread their malware and spam. They and other cyber-criminals show no reverence to decency or taste. All that they want is to reap financial benefits and turn the lives of other end-users into misery, as reported by PC ADVISOR on June 26, 2009.

According to Cluley, since so many Web users are trying to keep themselves updated of the most recent developments related to the Michael Jackson incident, it wouldn't be any surprise if more attempts are made to deceive the public. No one will put even the slightest amount of money on cyber criminals not pursuing this incident through spam mails having malicious links to seemingly special coverage of the last moments of Jackson, or apparently latest headlines from the BBC or similar news channels, Cluley concludes.

Actually, no natural disaster or newsworthy event these days is complete without the associated malware-themed and scam attacks emerging during the period that ensues. The recent years' disasters like the 2005 suicide bombers' attacks at the London subway, Hurricane Katrina, 2004 Asian Tsunami, the killing of Saddam Hussein, and the assassination of Benazir Bhutto former PM of Pakistan have all supplied endless material for malware-infested e-mail assaults.

To conclude, Sophos advises all e-mail users that they should immediately delete any e-mail about Jackson's death.

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» SPAMfighter News - 7/7/2009