Take care when dealing with Wikileaks links and email - MALWARE WARNING

[Jeffersons Ghost]

Potential WikiLeaks Phishing Scams

In the past, US-CERT has received reports of phishing scams and malware campaigns related to topics that are of high-interest to the U.S. Government or news media, such as the WikiLeaks website. Users' systems have been compromised by receiving and accessing phishing emails with subject lines that seem relevant to a high-interest subject and appear to originate from a valid sender. US-CERT reminds users to remain vigilant for potential malicious cyber activity seeking to capitalize on interest in WikiLeaks. Users are advised to exercise caution in handling any email with subject line, attachments, or hyperlinks related to WikiLeaks, even if it appears to originate from a trusted source.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to use caution when encountering these types of email messages and take the following preventative measures to protect themselves from phishing scams and malware campaigns:

* Do not follow unsolicited web links in email messages.
* Use caution when opening email attachments. Refer to the Using Caution with Email Attachments Cyber Security Tip for more information on
safely handling email attachments.
* Maintain up-to-date antivirus software.
* Refer to the Recognizing and Avioding Email Scams (pdf) document for more information on avoiding email scams.
* Refer to the Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks Cyber Security Tip for more information on social engineering attacks.

http://www.us-cert.gov/current/index.html#potential_wiki_leaks

Please keep this kicked to warn other members of DU

[DainBramaged]

1. RUBotted 2.0

http://downloadcenter.trendmicro.com/index.php?regs=NABU&clk=latest&clkval=1777&lang_loc=1

RUBotted monitors your computer for suspicious activities and regularly checks with an online service to identify behavior associated with Bots. Upon discovering a potential infection, RUBotted prompts you to scan and clean your computer.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

2. There's some crafty hackers on the web opposed to WikiLeaks and some might post links at DU

[DainBramaged]

6. I am sure that a arge percentage of DU computers are already contaninated

I use Peer Block, RU Botted, Netcraft toolbar on my WinXP systems, IOBIT 360, Microsoft Security Essentials and I have nerver been hit.

[Blue_Tires]

8. thanks for this...

[DainBramaged]

9. My December gift to keep DU happy!

:hi:


http://www.peerblock.com/

PeerBlock lets you control who your computer "talks to" on the Internet. By selecting appropriate lists of "known bad" computers, you can block communication with advertising or spyware oriented servers, computers monitoring your p2p activities, computers which have been "hacked", even entire countries! They can't get in to your computer, and your computer won't try to send them anything either.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

14. thanks I downloaded it

[Jeffersons Ghost]

15. I'm glad share this warning and maybe save some of my DU friends computers

[hobbit709]

3. Like I'd believe something called us-cert.gov in this matter.

sorry, but I'll take my warnings from somebody else first.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

4. It only stands to reason. Do you think right-wing hackers support WikiLeaks...

The government site was mainly warning other government sites. The right-wingers will try punishing those on the left for supporting WikiLeaks.

[jberryhill]

11. Lol, yeah, I decided I'd had just enough of that "surgeon general" crap, too

...so I smoked two packs yesterday.

Not stopping for red lights today, either. The government is just trying to slow my ass down.

[hobbit709]

13. I take anything the government tells me with a grain of salt nowadays.

Especially when it's related to Terra, terra, terra. I take that warning of theirs as a message to stay away or we will watch you.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

16. LOL great point

[Robb]

5. I was wondering if anyone was taking advantage of this.

Malware aside, it would seem relatively easy to spread the word "You can still donate to XXXXXXXXX" and list a handy account number that really has nothing to do with Wikileaks.

[DainBramaged]

7. And look at nude pictures of today's hottest stars while waiting for your credit card to be approved

:sarcasm: :hi:

[Jeffersons Ghost]

18. LOL

[HipChick]

10. Mastercard and Visa cancelled any donations to Wikileaks

but I still see people posting links for credit card donations...waiting for AMEX and Discover to follow suit

[Jeffersons Ghost]

12. great point

[Jeffersons Ghost]

17. I'm sure there are plenty of online crooks trying to do that