Hackers use Jackson Suicide Rumor to Spread Virus

Hackers use Jackson rumor to spread virus (Reuters)

Emails claiming pop star Michael Jackson, on trial on sex abuse charges, has tried to kill himself are being spread by hackers as a means to break into computers, a British anti-virus firm said on Friday. The hackers have sent emails with the subject “Re: Suicidal attempt” and the message text: “Last night, while in his Neverland Ranch, Michael Jackson has made a suicidal attempt”, said security software specialists at Sophos.

[…]

The email asks recipients to click on a link that takes them to a Web site which secretly installs malicious code on their computers.
“If you click on the link, the Web site 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 Carole Theriault, security consultant at Sophos.

Lovely. It amazes me that people still click on these things, though.

FILED UNDER: Popular Culture, Science & Technology, , ,
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.