Michael Jackson suicide spam leads to Trojan horse.Sophos's are warning of a spam E-mail that is not requested. Also known as "unsolicited commercial e-mail" (UCE), "unsolicited bulk e-mail" (UBE), "gray mail" and just plain "junk mail," the term is both a noun (the e-mail message) and a verb (to send it). campaign that claims Michael Jackson Noun 1. Michael Jackson - United States singer who began singing with his four brothers and later became a highly successful star during the 1980s (born in 1958) Michael Joe Jackson, Jackson has attempted suicide in an bid to lure innocent computer users into being infected by a Trojan horse See Trojan. Trojan Horse hollow horse concealed soldiers, enabling them to enter and capture Troy. [Gk. Myth.: Iliad] See : Deceit (application, security) Trojan horse . Sophos has identified hundreds of the spam messages being sent, preying on intense media interest in the trial of the controversial popstar. The spam emails arrive with the subject: 'Re: Suicidal su·i·cid·al adj. 1. Of or relating to suicide. 2. Likely to attempt suicide. attempt' and the message text: "Last night, while in his Neverland Ranch Neverland Valley Ranch is owned by American pop musician Michael Jackson. It is located at 5225 Figueroa Mountain Rd, Los Olivos, CA 93441, about 5 miles (8 km) north of unincorporated Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County, California . , Michael Jackson has made a suicidal attempt. They suggest this attempt follows the last claim was made against the king of pop. 46 years old Michael has left pre-suicide note which describes and interpretes some of his sins. Read more ...' However, when users click on the link they are token to a website which secretly installs malicious code onto their PCs. "If yon click on the link, the website displays a message saying it is too busy, which may not surprise people who think it might contain genuine breaking news about Michael Jackson," said Sophos. "However, this is a diversionary tactic--because behind the scenes the website is downloading malware (MALicious softWARE) Software designed to destroy, aggravate and otherwise make life unhappy. See crimeware, virus, worm, logic bomb, macro virus and Trojan. onto the user's computer without their knowledge." Sophos have analysed the code downloaded by clicking on the link, and determined that it attempts to download another Trojan horse which Sophos detects as Troj/Borobt-Gen. Sophos notes that this is not the first time that the troubled pop star has been exploited by virus writers and hackers attempting to spread their malware. In October 2004, messages were posted on the internet claiming that incriminating in·crim·i·nate tr.v. in·crim·i·nat·ed, in·crim·i·nat·ing, in·crim·i·nates 1. To accuse of a crime or other wrongful act. 2. home videos belonging to Jackson had been discovered--but clicking on the link infected web surfers with the Hackarmy Trojan horse. Sophus recommends companies automatically update their corporate virus protection, and filter attachments which may contain malicious code at the email gateway with a consolidated solution to defend against viruses and spam. More information can be found at: www.sophos.com/virusinfo/analyses/ trojborobtgen.html |
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