Issue 144 - December 2012 (1st Edition) - Page 19

Fake Tsunami Warning 'News' Report Points to Malware

Outline
Email designed to resemble a news report claims that Australian earthquake and volcano experts have predicted that a massive tsunami will hit Australia on New Year's Eve. The message asks recipients to click a button to watch a video about the prediction.

Analysis
The news report is totally bogus and scientists have - of course - made no such prediction. Clicking the "Watch Now" link in the email automatically downloads a malicious file. Opening this file can install malware on the user's computer. The malware message includes logos and graphics stolen from a genuine news website in an effort to make its outlandish claims seem more credible. If you receive this email or one similar, do not click on any links or open any attachments that it may contain.

Online criminals regularly try to distribute malware via messages disguised as news reports. Be wary of any unsolicited emails that claim to contain links to breaking news stories about natural disasters, scandals, terrorist attacks or the death of a celebrity. Rather than click on links in these messages, it is always safest to do a search via an online news site such as Google News. If the report is factual, there is is likely to be other reports about it on legitimate news websites.

Enter your email address to subscribe to the Hoax-Slayer Newsletter:

Scroll down to submit comments
Last updated: November 19, 2012
First published: November 19, 2012
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer

Example

Subject: Tsunami in australia New Year's Eve 2013

TSUNAMI in Australia New Year's Eve 2013 ?...

As discovered today in a leaked video of a secret meeting at the australian agency of volcanology and seismology. The TSUNAMI will hit all australian shores in New Year's Eve
2013 and also appears in the video exactly the expectations of the australian agency of volcanology and seismology that tsunami will hit with an earthquake measuring 7 degrees,
which will cost australia and the australian people a lot of casualties estimated as 50,000 people and a lot of large material losses.

It also revealed that the natural disaster agency did not warn australian citizens about this disaster so far it is still in the event of reticence about this disaster to avoid panic among
australian citizens.

For more details click on watch now to watch the complete video that was leaked secretly from the australian agency of volcanology and seismology.

Watch Now

Tsunami warning Malware

Previous Article Next Article

Issue 144 Start Menu

Pages in this issue: