Most major news events provide an open door for email exploits. You just need a little something to appeal to the voyeur in all of us, especially live video footage (remember the BIn Laden video a few months ago?). Last week, the horrible events in Oslo turned into a phishing campaign when a message (spreading on Facebook, of course) claimed it linked to security camera video that captured the blast in Oslo. The fake YouTube page cited in the link asked you to answer a survey before viewing the video, including entering your mobile phone number: that should give you a nice surprise on your next phone bill! If you have security protection on your computer (and I really hope you do), you should be fine, as long as you have more than basic AV scanning.
Asking for your mobile phone number is becoming more prevalent on the web for trials, mobile application downloads, ringtones (do people really download ringtones by entering their mobile number?). While your spam filter can block emails coming in, nothing can block automated phone calls, spammy SMS or extra billing at the end of the month!
Leave a Comment