'Osama Bin Laden Hanged' Virus Warning
Netlore Archive: Outdated email alert warns that messages purporting to contain pictures of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden hanged actually transmit a malicious computer virus
Description: Email alert
Circulating since: May 2005
Status: Outdated
Analysis: See below
Email example contributed by Janet B., 23 May 2005:
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Fwd: Important
Just now a message was received from the Israeli police:
Emails with pictures of Osama Bin-Laden hanged are being sent and the moment that you open these emails your computer will crash and you will not be able to fix it!!!
This virus is being distributed through countries around the globe, but mainly in the US and Israel.
Be considerate and send this warning to whomever you know.
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Comments: Outdated. Antivirus software vendor Sophos confirms that Internet messages circulating in 2004 which purported to offer photographic evidence that Osama Bin Laden hanged himself actually linked to a malicious Trojan horse file known as "Hackarmy," a "backdoor" program allowing hackers to remotely control infected computers. The Web site containing the file no longer exists.
The best protection against such threats, say experts, is maintaining up-to-date antivirus software on your computer. See links below for more information.
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Sources and further reading:
Bin Laden 'Suicide' Virus on Net
BBC News, 24 July 2005
Fake Bin Laden Email Hides Virus
BBC News, 3 June 2005
Hackers Disguise Trojan Horse as Osama Bin Laden Suicide Photographs
Sophos (antivirus software vendor) 23 July 2005
About Antivirus Software
From About.com: How to secure your computer from virus threats and malware
Last updated: 08/24/06
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