News19,135 Articles

November 27, 2009

New malware scam targets Twilight fans

Web users offered 'New Moon for free'

Oliver Garnham

PC Tools' Malware Research Center is warning web users of another online scam that hopes to piggyback on hype surrounding the new Twilight New Moon film.

The security software developer says the latest trick tempts movie fans by promising them they can watch the film for free, before installing malware on their computer.

PC Tools said fans are baited with the text websites, chat rooms and blogs that read: 'Watch New Moon Full Movie.'

Meanwhile, comment posts are filled with related keywords to attract search engines. Then, when fans search for the film they find links to stolen images from the movie itself, convincing the fan the movie is only one click away.

However, after clicking on the 'movie player', users are told to run a 'streamviewer' which installs malware on their computers.

This is the second malware scam targeting Twilight New Moon in a week. Last week, PC Tools warned that malicious websites that claim to feature interviews with the author of the books, Stephanie Meyer, were ranking high in a number of search engines.

Instead of providing a video clip of Meyer, those visiting the site were directed to a window informing them they were infected with malware and then encouraged to download an antivirus solution to clean their PC.

A malicious link (highlighted in red) found when searching for information on the new Twilight film

See also:

PC security advice

Free whitepaper: Phishing for victims - Truth, myth and cybercrime

<<newer story | back to index | older story>>

Comments received


lmm said on Friday, 27 November 2009

Really - on the same page as the scam alert - are not one but TWO google ads for exactly this scam?

Viewed Fri Nov 27 under the "Ads by Google" sidebar:
Want To Watch New Moon?
The Full Movie Just Leaked Online! Watch It Here Free After One Survey
WatchShowsFree.com/New-Moon
Watch Twilight New Moon
Watch the New Twilight Saga Movie Watch this Movie free Online Now
www.movieask.net/

Simon Jary said on Monday, 30 November 2009

Thanks for pointing this out.

Both of those sites are now in our Google AdSense filter, and I have passed on the information to Google to ban outright.

Obviously new sites could be set up so I will ask Google to see what they can do to stop this.

What is this?

Subscribe to PC Advisor now and claim your FREE gift

Keep up to date by adding PC Advisor News to your iGoogle home page or Google Reader


Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

% of PC Advisor readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

What tasks can your smartphone do that would have traditionally been done on a laptop?

119 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @SmartphoneFocus

web browsing, search facilities, voip, email, word processing everything RT @Graham_D_C

Mainly email but getting better at spreadsheets etc, RT @IDGdan
Google


Recent reviews

Reviews index


Latest reader comments

Latest reader comments


Top news

News index


Latest blog entries

Blogs index


 Our RSS feeds

Sponsored Content

  • Take the internet to new places with the Nokia N800
    Communicate how you want to, where you want to with instant messaging, email and internet calling. View movies, browse the internet wirelessly and watch TV on the high-resolution screen and listen through high-quality stereo speakers with headphone jack.
    Buy now