Black Hat Hackers using Car-related Terms to trick you.

While this posting may not be totally car related, it does warrant a post if, for nothing more, than to give all of you, our faithful readers, a heads-up on an Internet security issue.

There is a group of hackers who are manipulating certain search terms you might use to trick you into downloading malicious software onto your computer.

Initially, these hackers were using search terms that were relative to the Ford Motor Co. Now, they have switched to Nissan Motors. For example, on a list of of those terms are “1950s Ford Thunderbirds,” “2009 Ford” and “Ford parts catalog.”

The scheme goes like this –
You search for a certain item, and when you click on one of the resulting search results in Google, you are taken to a site you think is what you’re looking for. You are prompted, at that site, to click on a link….presumably for a video or such. What happens, though is that it causes you to download a malicious software known as MS AntiSpyware 2009.

Be aware, this is NOT a Microsoft product.
The download places software on your PC that results in endless pop-ups that are part of a pay-per-click advertising scheme. But, it gets “better”! Then, to rub salt in the wound, they prompt you to purchase a lifetime license for a non-existent anti-virus software that will help get rid of those pop-ups! What they are doing, is getting your credit card information.

So, if you are searching for Ford or Nissan, keep your eyes open.
And, make sure your Anti-Virus software is up to date….just make sure that software
is not MS AntiSpyware 2009!