rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Business » Cybercrime sets sail on tsunami sympathy
This article was first published 13 years ago

Cybercrime sets sail on tsunami sympathy

Last updated on: March 15, 2011 10:29 IST

Image: Earthquake wreaks havoc in Japan.
Photographs: Reuters BS Reporter in Bengaluru

On the day after the tsunami devastated Japan, Anand Mahindra, vice-chairman and managing director of the Mahindra Group, wrote on his Twitter page: "Received numerous mails purportedly soliciting funds for Japanese tsunami victims. Genuine, or is the 'vulture' business model alive and well?"

With the Japanese still under shock after the quake-cum-tsunami, people around the globe are working to provide help.

Unfortunately, cybercriminals are exploiting the tragedy and the sympathy.

. . .

Cybercrime sets sail on tsunami sympathy

Image: Workers walk past a damaged shipyard in an area hit by an earthquake and tsunami in Kuji.
Photographs: Aly Song/Reuters

According to a report by internet security vendor Symantec, e-mails marked URGENT, requesting for help by appealing to the humanity in every internet user, or urging consumers around the world to offer donations to those affected, are doing the rounds.

It also said over 50 domains with the names of either 'Japan tsunami' or 'Japan earthquake' emerged within hours of the event.

These domains are either parked, available for sale, or are linked to earthquake sites.

. . .

Cybercrime sets sail on tsunami sympathy

Image: An injured girl is brought to a Japanese Red Cross hospital.
Photographs: Damir Sagolj/Reuters

"Previously, when such disasters occurred, we had seen a sudden surge in virus attacks in the form of nasty attachments and .zip files embedded in spam sent from attackers.

Use caution when opening forwarded messages related to the Japan earthquake and tsunami, and any other tragedy or event that stirs international news coverage, legitimate and otherwise," said Shantanu Ghosh, vice-president, India product operations, Symantec.

The company has also observed a classic 419-message, targeting the Japanese disaster.

. . .

Cybercrime sets sail on tsunami sympathy

Image: Cyber crime on the rise.

According to Symantec, other methods the cyber mafia uses during such events include search engine poisoning.

With several Internet users searching for earthquake-related news and information online, cybercriminals can 'poison' search results, for malicious websites to appear at the top of the results.

"Users who make sense of the tragedy, may end up downloading malware instead," it added.

Source: source