Blackmail tactic to trap innocent users

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» IT Security NEWS

» 18 April 2010

Blackmail tactic to trap innocent users

According to the popular security firm, Trend Micro, there is a new hazardous malware that that has been terrorizing the internet community in Japan. This Trojan frightens the users of the idea that their internet history will be broadcasted all over the web.

A certain adult Hentai game for computers was used in order to mask the real content that can truly damage a computer system. This had been plaguing the Japanese Winny, a P2P network, and it has been open for download for the many Japanese online users.

Fake registration masking the real threat

The downloaded file will reveal the malware that it possesses when a user falls as a victim to the online crooks’ dirty tactic and download the said game. Upon the download, a registration page will be displayed asking for some of the user’s confidential data. And then, as a user encodes the information being asked in the form, the Trojan will begin inspecting the whole computer system for the following data: account, name of the computer, the kind of operating system being utilized, contents of the clipboard, history, and favorites located in the browser.

Disgracing users as part of a hoax

Stolen files will then be brought and posted on the website of Romancing, Inc., the company that owns the domain responsible for broadcasting confidential information of various users. The users may receive a message in their e-mail account stating that they have violated a copyright and that a case will be filed against them if ever they failed to cooperate.

Based on the statement made by Rik Ferguson, senior security advisor of Trend Micro, this tactic by the web criminals is actually the most original as of present. It can be regarded as that since it is the first to present an attack involving the linking of the name and embarrassing of victims. It is also the pioneer of incorporating pornography and intimidation of users by a court case.

Unacceptable scheme stripping money from users

As written on Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese local newspaper, there were about 5,500 individuals who became victims of this vicious scam. Also, these people were robbed off with nearly 10 US dollars each for the bogus copyright infringement fee that was ordered by the malware. In this way, their private information will be taken off from the website.

This online attack has been very unusual; but, as of the present, this kind of case is becoming more widespread than before. About a week prior, the same method was discovered by a European expert, Dancho Danchev. A make-believe agency called ICCP Foundation requested for 400 US dollars as compensation for the infringement of a copyright. However, even though the approach was alike, there were differences in the code level of the malwares used.

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