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'Twittersblogs' the Latest Phishing Scam to Hit Twitter

Social networking sites Twitter and Facebook have become popular hunting grounds for scammers, as updates and instant messages provide easy methods of attracting prey. A new phishing scheme has emerged this week, similar to previous Twitter and Facebook phishing scams, that incorporates direct messages with phony links.

According to Mashable.com, on Monday morning, hundreds of tweets (reading "omg!! is it true what they wrote about you in their tweet blog?") began to spread through Twitter with a link to twittersblogs.com. The site looks exactly like the Twitter login page, and the messages are intended to attract people into entering their login information. This enables the scammers to hijack the victim's account in order to continue disseminating the fake message to the compromised twitterer's followers.

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Social Networking

Hacked High-Profile Twitter Accounts Still Spreading Malicious Links

Phishing scams involving hijacked accounts continue to sweep through the popular microblogging site Twitter. In January, hackers commandeered the accounts of several high-profile members, including Britney Spears and Barack Obama, and distributed malicious links and spam messages. On Tuesday, scammers used the profile of Guy Kawasaki, a former Apple Fellow with over 100,000 followers, to post a link to a site that claimed to offer a (non-existent) sex tape featuring 'Gossip Girl' star Leighton Meester.

According to PC World, University of Alabama at Birmingham computer forensic scientist Gary Warner believes that over 1,600 people have already followed the link to a fake porn site that links to a Trojan horse program. This software affect both Macs and PCs, and, if downloaded, essentially turns your computer into a zombie that can be controlled from afar, enabling perps to extract valuable personal information. The scheme also leeched off the compromised accounts of a political blogger, a rising musician, and a gay news site, some of which still have the malicious link available on their Twitter pages.

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Computers, Web

New E-Mail Scheme Hijacks Your Webmail Account

Phishing scams involving hijacked accounts and the dissemination of phony links have recently appeared on Facebook and Twitter, but now that strategy is returning -- albeit in a creepy new way -- to its old stomping grounds: e-mail. A group of Net grifters has been breaking into browser-based e-mail accounts (e.g. Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, or AOL Mail), and sending dubious messages to everyone in the account's contact list. According to The Washington Post, the messages typically include a link to an e-commerce site or a message asking that money be wired to a specific location.

The scheme can be particularly effective and dangerous because people typically don't hesitate to open a message from the recognized account of a known friend. The scam can be prevented, though, so it's important to protect your e-mail account information and to always be wary of opening links. If you're going to use a personal account for business or shopping, try to only use your own computer or gadget, as hackers can use keystroke loggers on public devices to steal logins and passwords. It's also important to fortify your e-mail passwords and to definitely change them up if you feel an account may have been compromised. For further in-depth tips on warding off scammers and protecting your personal information, check out our list of 15 Phishing Scams to Watch Out For. [From: The Washington Post]

Web, Social Networking

Fake Twitter E-Mail Invite Carries Malicious Worm


Twitter keeps on getting hit by phishing traps, scams, and worms. Recently, these attacks have come via links to YouTube videos, fake accounts, and infected tweets. Now, spammers are sending out fake e-mail invitations to join Twitter, according to Symantec's blog.

The e-mail, which has been sent to a large number of accounts and can be seen above, looks fairly legit, except for one tell-tale sign -- the body of the message does not include a URL that would direct users to the site. Instead, a .zip file called 'Invitation Card.zip' is attached to the message. Regular readers know the rule of thumb when it comes to unknown attachments: never, ever download or open them.

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Computers

12 Tips to Fight Spam on Your Computer and Cell Phone



In November 2008, the McColo Corporation, a Web site hosting service favored by spammers, was shut down. Spam levels worldwide plummeted by nearly 70-percent.

But, only a few short months later, the amount of spam skyrocketed back to its normal level -- comprising an estimated 94-percent of all e-mail. Spam now plagues cell phone owners and, if your carrier charges for receiving texts, you'll be expected to pay for the unsolicited messages. As if it couldn't get worse, spam sometimes harbors viruses, trojan horses, worms, and spyware. Scary stuff. Fortunately, we've got you covered.

If you're having trouble keeping the junk out of your e-mail and texts, or if you're just sick of skimming through dozens of ads to find actual messages, check out our smorgasbord of spam fighting-tips.

Cell Phones, Web, Social Networking

Facebook Phishing Scam Bills Your Cell Phone


We've already expressed our distaste for Facebook quizzes; we're just plain tired of our Facebook accounts being bombarded with requests to 'Find Out How Well You Know Your Town' or 'What 1980s Film Character Do You Most Resemble.' After reading this story at WCPO.com, we can add one more entry to the list of reasons we would like to see these applications disappear; phishers are now using quizzes to steal information from your cell phone account and place extra fees on your bill.

According to the story from ABC's Cincinnati affiliate, a woman was asked to enter her cell phone number in order to receive her score from an IQ test she took on Facebook. Thinking the application didn't accept her number the first time, Leanne Saylor entered it two more times. When she opened her cell phone bill later that month, Saylor saw three charges for text message services, amounting to a total of $44. Apparently, she failed to read the fine print on the quiz, which stated that monthly fees apply. Luckily, AT&T blocked future months' fees.

Take a lesson from Saylor, though. Never give out your phone number, or any other personal information, to these applications. It's too great a risk to take just to see if you have a higher IQ than your friends. [From WCPO.com]

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Computers, Web

Phishing Attack Hits Microsoft Outlook Users

In the past, we have warned you about phishing e-mails requesting personal information. Lately, it seems many of those phishing scams have moved to social networking or microblogging sites. Recently however, a phishing e-mail popped up in the inbox of Microsoft Outlook users. According to TrendLabs Malware blog, the message asks users to re-configure their e-mail account by clicking a link that leads to a phishing Web site.

By having users click this link, phishers can obtain not only a user's name and password, but also mail server information -- the most critical part of the scam. This gives phishers complete access to a user's e-mail account, which facilitates the theft of important personal information (credit card numbers, social security number, bank account numbers,etc.).

The easiest way to avoid e-mail phishing scams is to avoid clicking suspicious or unfamiliar links. You should also exercise extreme caution when sending personal information via e-mail. This particular scam is more dangerous than most because so many folks use Microsoft Outlook. [From: TrendLabs Malware Blog, via CNET News]

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Web, Social Networking

'Best Video' Scam Hits Twitter

Some Twitter users were recently duped into paying money for a security system they did not need, according to CNET News. We've previously reported on the increasing number of phishing attacks and malware circulating on Twitter and Facebook, and now another scam has hit the microblogging site -- from the looks of things, this trend might be here to stay.

In the scam, Twitter users were directed to a Web site that featured a YouTube video dubbed "Best Video." If you attempted to watch the it, you'd be hit with a slew of messages warning that your computer was in danger. What could save your computer? You have to buy a security suite immediately [surprise!]. According to CNET News, Twitter officials are aware of the scam and are saying that no personal information was compromised because of it.

The best way to protect yourself from these scams is to avoid suspicious links, like the one described above. Also, don't give out personal information -- like the name of your pet -- to unknown sources, even if it seems innocent. It could be just the information needed to hijack your account. The flood of Twitter spam is still on the rise, so remember, better to be safe than sorry. [From CNET News ]

Computers, Web

Online Search Words to Watch Out For



We've said it before, but we can't drive it home enough. If it's free, it's going to hurt you. And McAfee agrees. The Internet security bigwig today released its 2009 report on search terms most commonly used by cybercriminals to infect unsuspecting computers. The search term to most carefully avoid? Apparently, "screensavers" has a 59.1-percent chance of sending you to a malicious site. "Free games" and "work from home" are second and third most likely to mess you up, with 24.7-percent and 15.6-percent chances, respectively.

Hackers tune in to trends, like free additional income or the celebrity du jour, and use well-searched keywords to trick users into downloading files or applications that carry viruses or phishing programs. McAfee searched over 2,600 popular terms on several different engines, then hit the top five pages for each term (over 413,000 unique Web sites in total) in order to rank the major dangers. The least threatening terms are apparently related to personal health and financial crisis inquiries.

Besides sticking to our rule of avoiding untrusted sites that promise free goodies, you'd also do well to steer clear of random links to "Webkinz", "Jonas Brothers" and "Viagra." Though, if those are your most popular search terms, you have more than Internet scams to worry about. [From: McAfee, via ZDNet]

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Web, Social Networking

Phishing Scams Move From Facebook to Twitter

Twitter Overrun by Phishing Scam

We've seen phishing scams on Twitter before, but more attacks have recently been focused on Facebook and its massive user base. Now, though, scam artists are turning their focus full force to the microblogging service in a concerted effort to hijack accounts and spread spam.

The first part of the scam involves fake accounts (usually displaying images of attractive women) that follow tweeters. Clicking through links in the spam account lead users to a fake Twitter login page feautring the URL Tvviter.com, intended to pass for Twitter.com at a quick glance. After collecting a users' usernames and passwords, the phishers pass them back to Twitter where the duped tweeters find a host of new attractive women following them. Clicking through to links on those accounts lead users to X-rated dating sites that are undoubtedly paying the phishers for the traffic.

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Web, Social Networking

New Phishing Scams Hitting Facebook Users

Facebook phishing scams simply refuse to die. First, it was FBAction.net, then a series of links with domains ending in ".im", and now links ending in ".at." All of these scams have one thing in common: They're designed to trick you into handing over your Facebook login information and hijack your account.

The AllFacebook blog reports that people are receiving e-mails and messages in their inboxes with links such as "areps.at." Clicking it takes you to a fake Facebeook login page. If you enter your information, the site will quickly login to your account and change your password, blocking you from Facebook,. It will then forward a malicious link to all of your friends via your account.

Also links with bests.at, kirgo.at, and nutpic.at in the address are also making the rounds. These also take you to the same scam site.

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Social Networking

New '151' Phishing Scam Emerges on Facebook


As Facebook continues its incredible growth, the target on its back for hackers and computer criminals keeps getting bigger and bigger. The social networking site -- which now boasts more than 200 million members -- has recently been the subject of a number of attacks, with the latest coming this week in the form of a new phishing scam.


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Social Networking

The Twitter Porn Name Game Is a Scam!

Twitter Porn Name Game is a Scam
Right now, the tag "#twitterpornnames" is popping up all over Twitter. This meme, which encourages people to post their "porn names" (a combination of your first pet's name and the street you grew up on, or your mother's maiden name), is actually a giant scam to collect personal information. The idea of a "porn name" has been around a long time, but it took a rather crafty scam artist figure out that if you unleash the game on a service like Twitter, it would spread like wildfire.

Think about what your security questions on your online banking account are -- we guarantee you that at least one of them is your pet's name, your mother's maiden name, or the street you grew up on. Whoops. You just blasted that info to millions of people on Twitter.

If your zeal for Twitter games has overwhelmed your common sense and you jumped on the #twitterpornnames trend, quickly delete the post and change your passwords and security questions on all of your accounts. Do it now -- we'll wait. [From: PC World, Via: Download Squad]

Web, Social Networking

New Facebook Phishing Scam Will Hijack Your Account

Facebook Phishing Scam Spams Your Friends
If you recently got a message in your Facebook inbox with links to FBAction.net, we hope you didn't follow them. If you did, we hope you at least didn't fall for the fake log-in screen that was waiting for you at the URL...

This recent phishing attack has made its way across Facebook by leading users to a convincing looking -- but fake -- Facebook log-in screen. If you enter your information, the scam site then locks you out of your account and sends the original message out to all your friends. Fortunately, at present time, it doesn't look like there is any additional malicious payload, which means no virus or no spyware. It's just account hijacking for the sake of it.

Have you ever been the victim of an online scam?



Facebook has already blocked the address, which should put an end to the annoyance, but some users are still locked out of their accounts until Facebook finishes cleaning up the mess.

The best way to avoid such attacks, as we always say, is using common sense. Don't follow links or open files from people and addresses you don't trust, and never enter passwords or other sensitive information in a page unless you're sure the site is secure. And always check the URL to make sure you're on the site you think you are. [From: Mashable]

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Cell Phones, Computers, Advice, Editor's Picks, Windows Software, Webware, Mobile Software, Mac Software

15 Phishing Scams to Watch Out For



Perhaps the most pervasive and discussed Internet graft, phishing garners daily mention from media outlets for its high-profile victims, such as PayPal, and its incredibly diverse methods. Traditionally known as an e-mail scam, the hustle has grown to incorporate seemingly infinite forms of attack, which can make it seem intimidating and confusing.

In theory, though, the con is pretty simple. Scammers bait unsuspecting targets with seemingly legitimate requests from what appear to be reliable sources (banks, news outlets, stores) in efforts to obtain personal information. The perps specifically target data, such as social security numbers, passwords and bank pins, that can be used to access bank and credit card accounts, resulting in stolen funds and identity theft.

Casual surfers of the Web can take precautions to ensure they don't fall for any bait. Be incredibly wary of whom you give personal information, and always keep your anti-virus software up-to-date. To help you stay informed about the latest phishing incarnations, here are some of the most prevalent and convincing scams making the rounds

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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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