The InformationWeek -- Blogs
Security

Topics:   Security

  • Email this page E-mail this page
  • Print this page Print this page
  • Bookmark and Share
  • icon

Malware Attack Riding Coattails Of Obama Win


Posted by George Hulme, Nov 5, 2008 07:13 PM

Antivirus software maker Sophos today discovered attackers have launched a Web campaign of their own that aims to exploit the senator's presidential victory. And it's rather nasty.

According to Sophos, this malware may have reached as much as 80% of all of the malicious spam that flowed through Sophos Labs today.

According to the company, targeted users first get a spam e-mail proclaiming the Obama win, and it asks users to visit a bogus election results Web site. Users are then asked to download what looks to be a movie to watch Obama's "amazing speech." Instead of a video of Obama's speech in Chicago last night, visitors are instead infected with a Trojan horse/backdoor which can be remotely controlled by the attacker.

In an e-mail to InformationWeek, a Sophos spokesperson also noted that the malware:

• Contains rootkit technology to conceal itself
• Is designed to steal information from an infected computer
• Also has general "backdoor" functionality
• Spies on user's keyboard and mouse inputs and can take screenshots
• Looks for passwords

It submits the information it needs to a Web server located in Kiev, Ukraine.

Sophos has more information here, on its research blog.

« Google Do-Gooder: Brilliant | Main | John Doerr On Everything »



Sign Up Now
For InformationWeek News Alerts




This is a public forum. United Business Media and its affiliates are not responsible for and do not control what is posted herein. United Business Media makes no warranties or guarantees concerning any advice dispensed by its staff members or readers.

Community standards in this comment area do not permit hate language, excessive profanity, or other patently offensive language. Please be aware that all information posted to this comment area becomes the property of United Business Media LLC and may be edited and republished in print or electronic format as outlined in United Business Media's Terms of Service.

Important Note: This comment area is NOT intended for commercial messages or solicitations of business.




 

  1. Actors, Messages and Low Lock Contention for Java
  2. Of Course The Transformers are Multicore with SMT technology
  3. Find John Fast!!


Join The InformationWeek Group On LinkedIn


                           


  1. Why I'm Dropping Bing For Google
  2. Nokia's N97 Gets Massive Firmware Update Promising Bug Fixes
  3. Video: Talking About Firefox 3.5, Apple's Snow Leopard, The Return Of Steve Jobs, & More
  4. Bing Is Worth A Fling
  5. So Long, And Thanks, Google Earth, For All The Fish


  1. Review: Apple's Speedy iPhone 3GS
  2. Tech Innovation USA: From Resilient Networks To Self-Scheduling Devices
  3. How Government's Driving Cloud Computing Ahead
  4. Government As Early Adopter
  5. InformationWeek Analytics: Data Loss Prevention
  6. Strategic Security: Web Single Sign-On

 

  Ars Technica
Boing Boing
Channel 9 Forums
CRN Blogs
Dr.Dobb's Portal: Blogs
Engadget
Gizmodo
GrokLaw
  Lifehacker
Schneier on Security
Slashdot
TechCrunch
Techdirt
Techmeme
Valleywag

  DECEMBER 2008
NOVEMBER 2008
OCTOBER 2008
SEPTEMBER 2008
AUGUST 2008
JULY 2008
JUNE 2008
MAY 2008
  APRIL 2008
MARCH 2008
FEBRUARY 2008
JANUARY 2008
DECEMBER 2007
NOVEMBER 2007
OCTOBER 2007
SEPTEMBER 2007