Facebook "Virus Warning" - BBC Video Of Bin Laden Killing

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Outline

Message circulating on Facebook warns uses to watch out for a BBC video showing the killing of Osama Bin Laden because it is a virus.

Brief Analysis  

Scammers have already begun to capitalize on the news of Osama Bin Laden's death in various ways and this activity is likely to continue. However, this vague and unsubstantiated message is unlikely to be of much use as a warning against such scam attacks.

Detailed analysis and references below example.

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Last updated: 3rd May 2011
First published: 3rd May 2011
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer

Example

HERE WE GO::::::::PLEASE READ AND REPOST! WARNING: there is a video circulating around Facebook of a BBC video of the killing of Osama Bin Laden, supposedly made by US troops. It is a Virus!!!!! Spread the news because it's circulating fast!!!!

Detailed Analysis

Soon after news of Osama Bin Laden's death started flooding social media sites, this breathless virus warning message also began making its way around Facebook. The message warns users to watch out for a supposed BBC video depicting the killing of Bin Laden because it contains a virus.

It is certainly true that users should be cautious of messages containing links that supposedly provide videos, photographs or other information about the killing of Bin Laden. Internet scammers have already begun to capitalize on news of Bin Laden's death. In the coming days and weeks, scammers and spammers are likely to continue using fake news, videos and photographs about the killing as a means of enticing victims into installing rogue applications, participating in bogus surveys, downloading malware, or divulging their personal information. In fact, criminals have already used fake news of Bin Laden's death a number of times in the past few years as a means of distributing malware.

At this time, there is no official video or photographs of Bin Laden's killing being distributed by news outlets. Therefore, users should be very cautious of following any links that claim to feature such footage or images. Any message or website that claims to have such footage or images should be treated as suspect.

However, distributing this "virus" alert in its current form is counterproductive. There is currently no credible information about a virus campaign that is using a fake BBC video of the Bin Laden killing. The warning contains no references that provide more details about the supposed virus or what damage it does to the infected system. In truth, rather than being used as a means of distributing a computer virus, the tactic is much more likely to be used by criminals intent on distributing trojans or other malware or as a method of tricking users into participating in rogue app survey scams. In fact, Sophos reports that a Facebook spam message proclaiming a "SHOCKING NEW video of OSAMA BIN LADENS DEATH" actually leads to yet another survey scam.

This warning message discusses just one of many possible attacks that are likely to use information about Bin Laden's death as a lure.

Certainly, social media and email users should be very cautious of clicking links that supposedly lead to videos of Bin Laden's killing. However, reposting this vague and unsubstantiated message is unlikely to be of much help as a warning against such scammer activities.

References
Osama Bin Laden's Death a Party for Spammers, Fake AV Scammers
Osama Bin Laden Virus Emails
Osama Bin Laden death video scam spreads virally on Facebook
Facebook Rogue App Survey Scam - BBC News Check What She Did on Cam