Internet security firms have reported a rising trend in which cyber criminals exploit high-impact news stories to launch cyber attacks on unsuspecting users.
In 2009, the deaths of Michael Jackson and Patrick Swayze, the H1N1 flu, and the crash of Air France flight 447 were just some of the news events used to lure unsuspecting Internet users into downloading malware, buying products, and falling for scams.
Given the extensive media coverage of the murder of AWB leader Eugene Terre'Blanche this past weekend, a similar trend could emerge locally.
Brett Myroff, CEO of security software distributor Sophos SA, believes this is a possibility, but argues that local news does not have the same impact as international and celebrity news, so it is unlikely that global cyber rings will exploit this news.
But Myroff adds that South African cyber criminals should not be underestimated, and warns Internet users to be extra vigilant of e-mails relating to Eugene Terre'Blanche or the AWB, as they could be malware attacks or phishing scams.
These attacks rely on the news value of the event, and while it's unlikely that any global scams will develop, we may see local attacks, he opines.
Craig Rosewarne, senior manager of enterprise risk services at Deloitte & Touche, and founder of ISG Africa, agrees: “Any major newsworthy event that attracts 'clicks' is wide open to be abused by fly-by-night fraudsters and organised crime syndicates.
“Regarding Terre'Blanche's death, I have not seen any scams as yet, but I do believe it would be possible. In fact, it's easy to put together a 'Donate here to Eugene Terre'Blanche's widow's fund'-type scam, or a 419 scam claiming to help distribute his overseas Swiss bank account millions,” explains Rosewarne.
Visiting these sites could easily lead to a user's PC getting infected with malicious code, he warns. While the threat is only a potential one at this stage, South African Internet users must remain wary of scams that could emerge, notes Rosewarne.
Security software firm Symantec advises Internet users to follow these guidelines: Don't click on a link, rather check that it is from a valid and trusted source, and then type the address in the browser. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Look out for the padlock icon on every site, especially when being re-routed.
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