Cybercriminals Attempt to Defraud Facebook Users through Fake Video Links of the Oslo Blast

Scammers took advantage of the Oslo attacks by posting a fake URL link on thousands of user accounts on social media site.

Albuquerque, NM (prHWY.com) July 25, 2011 - Albuquerque, NM, United States - Recently, Norway was shook by twin attacks, one targeted on a government building in Oslo, and the other a killing spree on the Utoya Island. The otherwise peaceful country plunged into distress after the attacks. While the counter crime agencies were successful in arresting the perpetrator of the crime, the attack resulted in the loss of over ninety lives. On the other hand, cybercriminals were quick to take advantage of the tragedy by posting a fake URL link on thousands of user accounts on social networking site Facebook. The scam first identified by security researchers at Sophos attempts to attract the attention of the members by claiming that a security camera has captured the blast. Users who click on the link are redirected to a seemingly legitimate, but fake page of site, with a video player. The fake page urges users to prove that they are 18 years old by taking a survey. People who fall prey to the scam are required to answer questions and disclose their mobile numbers. Users who share their mobile numbers inadvertently incur expenses for receiving questions through Short Message Service (SMS). People use social media sites to communicate and enquire regarding the safety of their friends and loved ones in the event of disasters as mobile phones are jammed. Scammers attempt to take advantage of the situation to defraud users.

Cybercriminals keep track of natural disasters, terrorist strikes, assassinations, and swiftly devise fraudulent schemes to take advantage of the panic and sympathy generated by such events. Earlier in the year, scammers were quick to leverage earthquake and Tsunami in Japan. They attempted to defraud users through fake charitable schemes. Social media sites provide opportunity for scammers to target large number of Internet users through mass spam campaigns.
Internet users must be wary of clicking links on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. They must avoid disclosing too much information on these sites, and make use of the privacy settings to restrict sharing of e-mail address, messages, pictures and videos to friends. They must avoid participating in surveys devised by unknown users. Adherence to advisories by cyber security researchers on blogs and social media sites may help them in safeguarding their computers from malicious attacks. They may also gain understanding of IT security fundamentals through online degree courses.

Owners of the social media sites must conduct scrutiny of the websites at regular intervals to identify and block fraudulent schemes. Professionals may leverage programs such as secured programming and online university degree programs to improve their technical skills and expertise.

Organizations must update IT security policy at regular intervals on the basis of changing threat scenario. IT professionals must ensure implementation and adherence to the IT security policy by the employees. They must also keep track of the latest technological developments and improve the security mechanisms. Employees must be cautious while sharing business information on social media sites. Professionals qualified in masters of security science may help organizations in detecting the threat vectors and initiating measures to secure the IT infrastructure.

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EC-Council
Website: http://www.eccuni.us
Email: iclass@eccouncil.org
Tel: 505-341-3228

EC-Council University is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico and offers Master of Security Science (MSS) degree to students from various backgrounds such as graduates, IT Professionals, and military students amongst several others. The MSS is offered as a 100% online degree program and allows EC-Council University to reach students from not only the United States, but from all around the world.

EC-Council is a member-based organization that certifies individuals in cybersecurity and e-commerce skills. It is the owner and developer of 16 security certifications, including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator (CHFI) and EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)/License Penetration Tester (LPT). Its certificate programs are offered in over 60 countries around the world.

EC-Council has trained over 80,000 individuals and certified more than 30,000 members, through more than 450 training partners globally. These certifications are recognized worldwide and have received endorsements from various government agencies including the U.S. federal government via the Montgomery GI Bill, Department of Defense via DoD 8570.01-M, National Security Agency (NSA) and the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS). EC-Council also operates the global series of Hacker Halted security conferences.

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Tag Words: mobile phones, social media, sms, survey, video player, fake page, scam, facebook, fake url, distress, utoya island, oslo, twin attacks, norway

Categories: Internet

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