SUMMARY: Virus alert warns that emails with the subject line 'Obama Acceptance Speech' carry a Trojan horse program that steals passwords and user IDs.
Description: Emailed virus alert
Circulating since: Nov. 2008
Status: True
Email example contributed by Christy C., Nov. 30, 2008:
-------------------------Subject: Urgent, E-MAIL ALERT
THERE IS AN EMAIL WITH SUBJECT LINE OBAMA ACCEPTANCE SPEECH FLOATING AROUND WITH A TROJAN HORSE ATTACHMENT. DO NOT OPEN FOR ANY REASON. DELETE IMMEDIATELY. THE TROJAN STEALS ALL PASSWORDS AND USER IDS
SPREAD THE WORD.
Do not open ("Obama Acceptance Speech").
-------------------------
Comments: True. Antivirus experts warn that mass-emailed messages purporting to link to a video of President-elect Barack Obama's acceptance speech actually connects users to a Web page that attempts to upload a Trojan horse program to their computers. If the ploy is successful, the malware proceeds to steal personal information from infected computers and forwards it to a server in Kiev, Ukraine.
A typical specimen of the message looks like this:
Barack Obama Elected 44th President of United StatesClicking on a link in the message brings up a dialogue box asking the user to update Adobe Flash Player, which, if the user complies, causes the download of the malicious file.
Barack Obama, unknown to most Americans just four years ago, will become the 44th president and the first African-American president of the United States.
Watch His amazing speech at November 5!
Proceed to the election results news page>>
2008 American Government Official Website
This site delivers information about current U.S. Foreign policy and about American life and culture.
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Sources and further reading:
Barack Obama Exploited in Malware Spam Attack
Sophos, 5 November 2008
Obama-Themed Malware on the Rise
CNET News, 5 November 2008
Last updated: 12/09/08
