'Christopher Butterfield' Hacker Warning

Viral 'hacker warning' urges recipients not to accept messages or friend invitations from a supposed email hacker named Christopher Butterfield.

Description: Hoax
Circulating since: April 2009
Status: False (see details below)

Example:
Email contributed by Robbie J., April 23, 2009:

------------------------------

Subject: Fw: hacker warning

"Do not accept a friend request from a CHRISTOPHER BUTTERFIELD he is a hacker. Tell everyone on your list because if somebody on your list adds him u get him on your list too and he'll figure out ur computer's ID and address, so copy and paste this message to everyone even if u don't care for them cause if he hacks their email he hacks your mail too! SEND TO ALL FRIENDS"

------------------------------

Analysis: False. Email warnings about alleged hackers capable of stealing your personal info if you merely reply to their messages or add their names to friends lists are a dime a dozen, and based on a false premise, namely that it's just that simple to hack into someone's email or Facebook account. It isn't.

That said, such break-ins do occur, so there are two real threats every email user or member of social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter should beware of:

1. Messages from strangers asking you for personal information (e.g., user name, password, phone number, etc.)
2. Messages from strangers containing links to unfamiliar file attachments or websites

Both are methods often used by actual hackers and identity thieves to steal personal information online. The first, often referred to as "social engineering," is self-explanatory, and, obvious though it may be, seems to work extraordinarily well on naive and unsuspecting users.

• Don't reveal your passwords or other sensitive data to anyone!

The second method, which lures users into clicking links that download malicious software onto their computers, is just as effective. Said malicious software might contain, for example, a keystroke logger which records user names and passwords and transmits them to identity thieves on the other side of the world, or a program which turns over control of the victim's computer to a hacker (or to a "botnet" which can take over a vast number of computers at the same time), or both.

• Don't click on any links sent to you in online messages unless you're familiar with the source and confident the link destination is benign.

Also, for security's sake:

• Don't use passwords that would be easy to guess based on other information available on your website, in your Facebook or MySpace profile, or anywhere else online.

And, last but not least:

• Do maintain adequate antivirus and/or Interent security software, including a firewall, on your PC.

Forewarned is forearmed! More examples of false hacker alerts

Share This Article

Further reading:

The Dangers of Facebook (and Other Social Networking Sites)
About.com: Personal Web Pages

Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams
About.com: Internet Security

How to Safeguard Your Online Security
PC World, 26 January 2009

5 Facebook Schemes that Threaten Your Privacy
PC World, 25 February 2009

Last updated: 04/28/09