'Bin Laden Death' Video Scam Spreading Via Facebook, Email (PICTURES)
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President Obama said on Wednesday that he will not release post-death photos of Osama Bin Laden. Nevertheless, multiple malware attacks that claim to offer images or video footage of bin Laden's body are spreading across Facebook and elsewhere.
Similar malware hoaxes have been around since at least 2004, but their presence on the web has exploded since the President announced bin Laden's death on Sunday.
Facebook users should be wary of a wall post that reads, "Disturbing Yet Awesome!) [sic]" and includes a photo of bin Laden's face inside a crosshairs. This post contains a link that says, "Bin Laden EXECUTION VIDEO! Yes it's REAL!" and subtext that says, "Commandos attack Bin[sic] Laden's compund [sic] and take him out!" (Screenshot pictured below.)
The purported video is a fake. Clicking the link will take you to what appears to be a legitimate Facebook page. However, you'll be asked to copy and paste some JavaScript code into your browser bar, which will infect your computer and automatically post the hoax to your friends' walls.
A similar Facebook attack offers the user a glimpse at the "First released picture of Osama bin Laden dead." A graphic photo accompanies this post, along with a link to another page with malicious JavaScript code.
The Washington Post reports that bin Laden photo and video hoaxes have also turned up in email inboxes.
Sophos Security has also noted another bin Laden death video hoax on Facebook that makes you fill out a survey then spams your contact list.
It is no coincidence that these attacks have increased alongside search engine queries related to bin Laden's death. ESET researcher Aryeh Goretsky explains:
As the number of people searching for pictures and videos of bin Laden's execution has skyrocketed, the criminal syndicates which perform "black hat" search engine optimization (BHSEO) have exploded as well, creating malware-laden sites and performing all sorts of tricks to get them returned as the first results in search engine results.
If you come across these suspicious wall posts, delete them immediately. You should also delete emails asking you to input JavaScript code into your browser's search bar.
The FBI has issued a warning that explains what to look for and how to avoid falling for these scams.
Screenshots of the Facebook hoaxes are below.
BIN LADEN DEATH VIDEO HOAX:
BIN LADEN DEATH PICTURES HOAX:
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The Huffington Post Catharine Smith First Posted: 05/04/11 06:53 PM ET Updated: 07/04/11 06:12 AM ET