IT security and control firm Sophos is warning all internet
users to be wary of websites claiming to host a controversial nude
video of high-profile ESPN reporter Erin Andrews - hackers are
using the hype surrounding the hidden camera tape to distribute
malware that will infect both PC and Mac computer systems.
The internet has been abuzz with news that a voyeur had secretly
filmed the glamorous US sports reporter through the peephole of her
hotel room door. Lawyers working for Andrews said that they will
take legal action against anyone distributing the footage, which
was taken without her knowledge or consent. However, opportunists
and hackers have been quick to set up websites claiming to contain
the illicit content, in the hope of driving internet traffic to
their websites or infecting innocent victims.
Computer users who visit many of these sites are running the
risk of being infected by the
OSX/Jahlav-C Trojan horse on Macs, or the
Mal/FakeAV-AY Trojan if visiting from a Windows computer. Once
a hacker has control of your computer they can steal sensitive
information and con unsuspecting computer users into paying for
bogus online protection.
"If you want to look at naked women, buy yourself an adult
magazine or get yourself a girlfriend. If you go searching for
sleazy videos then don't be surprised if it's not just your mind
that ends up corrupted, but your computer too," said Graham
Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos,
on his blog. "What's more, these attacks are aimed at both Mac
and Windows users - hackers often now try to kill two birds with
one stone by setting up malicious pages that can determine what
type of computer you are using, and serve up the right malware
accordingly."
As the hype continues to escalate online, Sophos notes that
hackers have also taken to posting links to the malicious sites in
as many places as possible including as comments on blogs written
on the subject. Sophos advises that all computer users should avoid
following untrusted links from blog and news story comments.
More than 100 million users in 150 countries rely on Sophos as the best protection against complex threats and data loss. Sophos is committed to providing security and data protection solutions that are simple to manage, deploy and use and that deliver the industry's lowest total cost of ownership. Sophos offers award-winning encryption, endpoint security, web, email, and network access control solutions backed by SophosLabs - a global network of threat intelligence centers. With more than two decades of experience, Sophos is regarded as a leader in security and data protection by top analyst firms and has received many industry awards.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com.