Even as millions around the world mourn the demise of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, opportunistic online crooks turned busy exploiting the tragedy for their own benefit.
While such targeted attacks are not new, researchers at Trend Micro and Kaspersky Labs (providers of network antivirus and Internet content security software and services) say that cybercriminals leveraged the death of Steve Jobs by offering select Mac range of products for free as a goodwill gesture within hours of the announcement through a spam link.
“The particular scam we found involves a Web site, which claims that Apple has decided to give away 1,000 iPads in memory of Steve Jobs,' says the Country Manager for India and SAARC at Trend Micro, Mr Amit Nath.
Explaining how users were tricked to share information, Mr Nath said ‘the site asks users to share the page, in order to be eligible to get an iPad. Following the instructions directs users to an ad site while in the background, the link is posted on their Facebook wall.' The catch is there is no such offer from Apple and the only ones who will get anything from it are scammers who will earn money from the ads displayed every time a user is tricked into following the instructions.
“Also, as more users share the link, the number of potential victims will increase along with the profit of the scammers behind the ruse.” Kaspersky Lab researcher Mr Dmitri Bestuzhev said the security firm spotted a fake contest in which one could participate to win ‘1 of 15 MacBook Pros in memory of Steve Jobs!'
“Beneath the enticing offer is a space to enter your email address; while you won't win a new laptop, the chances of you winning a whole new batch of spam e-mails are high,” cautions Mr Bestuzhev.
Another part of the scam this researcher found was the chance to see exclusive photos and video footage from Steve Jobs' funeral. Below a header reading, “The Life, Death, and Legacy of Steve Jobs,” the message says, “Video footage and images will be here uploaded live from the funeral ceremony. Check back each day to see if they are posted.”
Advising users against clicking such posts if they spotted one in their Facebook newsfeeds, security firm experts urge the users to educate those who have been tricked to stop the spread of such scams.