Minnesota, USA May 4, 2011- The news circulating around the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden created a new avenue the biggest since the 'Royal Wedding' for cybercrime. Perhaps this is the most obvious as spam videos are flooding social networks such as Facebook. In just the hours after the news released, the first artificially-created videos started to appear. Instead of appealing to the 'good side' of people, spammers attached to the other side which would be fruitful for them; it appears that people like to see the 'monster' disfigured, blown apart, or fully executed. Therefore, I formally warn people to think twice before getting sucked into opening up these links, it is likely to be a Trojan rather than the 'latest news' like you hope it to be.

 

Undoubtedly, spammers are operating just as they always have on social networks; this time, people are 'forgetting' that they should not trust every link posted on their pages that appears to be attached by friends. In as much as it is intriguing to get the latest information, it is safe to say that it is better to keep an eye on the news websites and television programs where it is less likely to be spam; even though the 'bin Laden Operation' was tweeted prior to news releases, remember that news agencies go through checks and balances before releasing information; this keeps you and your computer safe.

 

In addition, bin Laden spam circulated through e-mails as well - thankfully my e-mail was able to label it as 'spam' so that I did not even notice - before it could have took over my inbox and my computer. In as much as we use our better judgment, we lack this as times. Unfortunately for us there is not a 'spam wall' component to our Facebook accounts - not yet anyways; obviously it could have cut back on the spam running rampant.

The U.S. Federal Bureau (FBI) released a statement acknowledging that this Trojan was created to collect banking information; ironically spammers are using a terrorist to terrorize our lives - Perhaps we should have seen this one coming. Again, be cautious whenever viewing information because ultimately someone else could be viewing your information which is far more valuable than what they created to 'show' you.

I created a list of questions that should run off in your mind prior to clicking links:

1)      Does this 'friend' regularly send me links like this

2)      Are these links also appearing in many of my friends' walls

3)      Is my friend actively using this account - whether it is Facebook or e-mail

4)      Do I see news releases that confirm the so-called information that the link contains

5)      Is this viewing worth the possible damage it could cause

6)      Does this link contain information that is based on the current 'hype' in the world