Fake Parking Ticket Directing Folks to Virus Download
The bogus parking tickets were printed on official-looking yellow paper and read:
PARKING VIOLATIONAfter that, the ticket listed the address of a Web site. People who went to that site were prompted to download an application that supposedly would show pictures of their cars. Instead, it installs a trojan application called Vundo, which will run in the background of your computer and monitor what you do. Fortunately, most virus scanners will quickly detect and remove the menace, so do make sure yours is updated, won't you? [From: CNET News]
This vehicle is in violation of standard parking regulations. To view pictures with information about your parking preferences, go to...
Weirdest Techie Heists and Scams
Elderly Amish Man Caught on Film With Prostitute, Blackmailed
When a 75-year-old Amish widower slept with a prostitute, he -- we feel certain -- felt pretty bad about it the next morning. As if that guilt weren't enough for the old man, the prostitute and her boyfriend demanded $67,000 from him, claiming that they had filmed the scene with wall-mounted cameras and would upload the recording to the Internet. The pair was later arrested and, we can only imagine, the Amish man abhorred technology more than ever.
Bank Robber Gets Away With the Help of Craiglist
In October, a bank robber -- wearing a safety vest, blue shirt, face mask and goggles -- eluded police with the help of Craiglist. Just outside the bank, while the robbery was in progress, stood a group of men who were responding to a Craiglist day labor opportunity. As the advertisement required, they were all wearing safety vests, blue shirts, face masks and goggles.
Nude New Zealander Arrested After Responding to Fake Sexy Text Message
Late in 2007, a Wellington, New Zealand man received a racy text message from two anonymous "ladies," giving him only an address and a request that he show up naked. Well, he indeed showed up naked... at the home of one appalled, unsuspecting New Zealander. Both the nude Romeo and the sadistic texter were arrested, though neither were prosecuted.
Fake Craiglist Ad Costs Man Most of What He Owns
Last Spring, a post appeared on an Oregon Craigslist board stating that the owner of a specific house was leaving all of his worldly possessions (still in said house) to whoever wanted them. When homeowner Robert Salisbury rushed home -- on a tip from a woman suspicious about the offer of a free horse -- he found his house being ransacked by 30 strangers. We suggest he take that horse and collect some vengeance Clint Eastwood-style.
17-Year-Old Jailed for Stealing Virtual 'Furniture'
When a 17-year-old Dutch boy hacked into several accounts on the Second Life-style site 'Habbo' in 2007, the the law got involved. The boy was discovered to have stolen $5,800 worth of virtual furniture and knick-knacks. Apparently, crime -- whether actual or virtual -- does not pay.
Phishers Going After Your Phones in New 'Vishing' Trend
Over the past year, sneaky spammers have begun to forsake the worn-out territory of e-mail in favor of cell phones' fertile frontier. The result? "Vishing." Get it? Voice mail + phishing. It might be more ominous if it didn't sound like a James Bond villain saying, "Wishing."
Burglars Break Into Restaurant, Steal HDTV, Leave Money / Food Behind
Around Halloween of last year, a truckload of thieves drove into -- that's right, into -- a Pennsylvania Mexican restaurant, where they -- apparently uninterested in the cash register -- stole a mid-grade 47-inch HDTV and fled the scene. We've all heard about how this generation is lacking in ambition, but this generation's thieves, too?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
j8ke said 9:05PM on 2-06-2009
All those caught either creating or helping to distribute viruses should experience progressive discipline. Have a finger removed after their first offense. Second offense, two fingers. If they're stupid enough for a third offense, three fingers. Now they'd be down to two fingers and thumbs. Think they'll be ignorant enough to go for a fourth offense?
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opinionated1 said 11:15PM on 2-06-2009
dude these ************* rate right up there with fleas. When you find one you squash it and burn it. Cyberspace isn't limited to dorks, there is a ton of intelligence and some big mean muscle that get irritated by these yaks. I know what I would do if I ran into one, but I can't share my religous opinions, computers are forever and I may change my feelings some day lol
philip di russo said 12:44AM on 2-07-2009
hit them where it hurts in their wallets a nice fine and community service for 1 year on week ends only basies no long week ends ( sat and sundays only)
it may take them 4 or 5 years to complete a years time in days
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Master Shake said 3:24AM on 2-07-2009
You can not prevent crime with harsh punishments. The crime of murder happens every day, and the penalty for that is death! The solution is in changes to technology, not barbaric medieval tortures. On a personal level, your first line of defense here would be to surf the internet with a Mac instead of a PC. Save the PC for playing games. Its not to be trusted online.
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Matthew said 6:50AM on 2-07-2009
I remember at a computer trade show once that this stupid punk said that he would "release viruses onto the web all the time. It takes out weak and useless systems and lets the Internet grow to it's full potential...kind of like weeding a garden." As I looked around, I saw several people smileing at him and cracking their knuckles, people I am sure had lost systems to a virus inthe past. I admit I followed him down to the underground garage with every intent of kicking his ass, but someone beat me to it. Looked to me like they used a tire iron on his fingers. Tell you the truth, he would have been better off with me LOL. But I think it will be a long time before that kid opens his mouth or works a keyboard again.
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