Computer users have been warned to be weary of multiple malware attacks that claim to offer photos or video footage of Bin Laden’s body and are spreading on the internet. While similar malware hoaxes are not uncommon particularly whenever there is a popular event, their presence on the Web has been reported to increase significantly since President Barack Obama announced Bin Laden’s death early this week.
Facebook Hoax
Already, the picture and video scams is already proving to be popular among Facebook users with wall posts that, for example, reads, “Disturbing Yet Awesome!) [sic]” and includes a photo of Bin Laden’s face inside a cross-hairs. The post contains a link that says, “Bin Laden EXECUTION VIDEO! Yes it’s REAL!” and subtext that says, “Commandos attack Bin[sic] Laden’s compund [sic] and take him out!” While such links may appear to take those who click on it to a real Facebook page, the purported video is false and victims will be asked to copy and past a JavaScript code into their Web browser’s address bar following which their computers will be infected and automatically post the hoax to their friends’ walls.
Email Hoax
Usually there are different versions of these kinds of malware hoax and already there are reports that they have also turned up in peoples email inboxes. Experts warn that users should be very careful so as avoid falling for these and other similar Web scams associated with the “pictures and videos of Bin Laden’s execution”. Furthermore, all suspicious emails and wall posts should be deleted immediately.
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Henway
May 7, 2011 at 2:28 am
Unfortunately, as with other major events, bin Laden’s death is also a gold mine of an opportunity for some scammers that might want to rip you off money for letting you see the video.
Esmir O
May 8, 2011 at 2:22 am
I seen few of these posted in my feed and decided not to click it. If the media does not have the video, what makes people think that a random person on facebook will.
There scammers pray on the ignorant which unfortunately most of the youth in the US is.
Esmir O
Updated Men.com
dido
May 9, 2011 at 10:04 am
thanks! i saw that on facebook thanks god i was wise enough not to open it
Ava
May 9, 2011 at 8:13 pm
I’m just astonished on why people would click on it. Obviously the government is not going to release video or pictures of the death, so it’s a wonder why anyone would logically think it was real.
David
May 10, 2011 at 8:27 pm
People will click on anything if it looks interesting. They are reading e-mails or messages so fast that they don’t even realize they clicked until they see the page loading symbol, then it’s a prayer that it wasn’t anything dangerous.
crossley
May 13, 2011 at 2:32 am
You had to see this coming, nearly anything that people are willing to search for en mass (especially “flash” news stories like this) are going to be the target of these types of scam and all of the drive by installs too – its a sign of the times!