Malware Targets BitTorrent Users, Tries to Scam Them
Security should always be on your mind when you surf the web. This is because the web is host to a lot of security threats, ranging from viruses to Trojans, worms, keyloggers and a long list of other malware types. Security should especially be on your mind when you download stuff from torrent sites.
Earlier this month it came to light that a nasty piece of malware is targeting BitTorrent users. Once it manages to infect the user’s computer, it tries to scam that user out of his hard earned money. It does this playing on the user’s copyright infringement fears.
Once it makes its way onto the user’s computer, the malware displays a warning that claims to be from Switzerland-based pro-copyright organization the ICCP Foundation (there is no such foundation, it is all make believe). In the warning, the malware displays actual files that the user downloaded from torrent sites – and it says that unless the user pays a fine of about $400, he risks getting a $250,000 fine and a 5 year sentence should the matter be taken to court. Even if the user doesn’t have any files downloaded from torrent sites stored on his computer, the malware makes this outrageous claim anyway.
The user risks to lose more than $400 if he decides to pay. This is because the malware directs him to a professionally designed website where he is asked to give his name, address and full credit card details. The people with malicious intent behind this malware could use this information for identity theft for example. Or for other malicious purposes that could end up costing him a lot of money.
“Refuse to pay money to these clowns! If people pay them, the problem will only grow bigger. If you are hit by this trojan, DO NOT PAY. Instead, use an antivirus program that is capable of detecting it to remove the trojan. F-Secure Antivirus detects it as Rogue:W32/DotTorrent.A. You can use our free Online Scanner at ols.f-secure.com to check your system,” explained F-Secure’s Mikko Hypponen.
The site of the phony ICCP Foundation looks like this:
The warning the malware presents looks like this:
Earlier this month it came to light that a nasty piece of malware is targeting BitTorrent users. Once it manages to infect the user’s computer, it tries to scam that user out of his hard earned money. It does this playing on the user’s copyright infringement fears.
Once it makes its way onto the user’s computer, the malware displays a warning that claims to be from Switzerland-based pro-copyright organization the ICCP Foundation (there is no such foundation, it is all make believe). In the warning, the malware displays actual files that the user downloaded from torrent sites – and it says that unless the user pays a fine of about $400, he risks getting a $250,000 fine and a 5 year sentence should the matter be taken to court. Even if the user doesn’t have any files downloaded from torrent sites stored on his computer, the malware makes this outrageous claim anyway.
The user risks to lose more than $400 if he decides to pay. This is because the malware directs him to a professionally designed website where he is asked to give his name, address and full credit card details. The people with malicious intent behind this malware could use this information for identity theft for example. Or for other malicious purposes that could end up costing him a lot of money.
“Refuse to pay money to these clowns! If people pay them, the problem will only grow bigger. If you are hit by this trojan, DO NOT PAY. Instead, use an antivirus program that is capable of detecting it to remove the trojan. F-Secure Antivirus detects it as Rogue:W32/DotTorrent.A. You can use our free Online Scanner at ols.f-secure.com to check your system,” explained F-Secure’s Mikko Hypponen.
The site of the phony ICCP Foundation looks like this:
The warning the malware presents looks like this:
