There's No Such Thing as a Free Pre-Release iPhone 4G, Sophos Informs
Malware spreaders are using promises of a pre-release iPhone 4G to lure unsuspecting users informs Sophos, company that specializes in providing antivirus, anti-spam, spyware removal software, network and internet security, data protection, and computer security solutions.
According to Sophos, there is a spam campaign making the rounds online, tricking users into thinking that if they test a pre-release version of the iPhone 4G, they get to keep it. The spam message asks the user to click a link and fond out more about this offer. If the user does this, he will be directed to a webpage the does nothing more than harvest his personal details – first and last name, address, country, postal code, email.
The same iPhone 4G spam campaign is also making the rounds on popular social networking and micro-blogging service Twitter. Spam messages on Twitter ask users to give click a link, provide their email address, and get a free iPhone 4G. Users will not get an iPhone 4G – what they will do is provide their spammers with personal details like first and last name, date of birth, address, email address and so on.
“Even though it hasn't been officially announced by Apple, and may not be released for a couple of months, there is a lot of buzz on the internet about the iPhone 4G. In their excitement, some internet users might blindly hand over their personal information in the belief that they will get a preview version of what will be one of 2010's hottest gadgets. But being careless with your data risks exposing yourself to more spam in future and costly identity theft,” explained Senior Technology Consultant with Sophos, Graham Cluley. “Apple is a company obsessed with secrecy about its upcoming products - you have to ask yourself, would Apple really be leaking products out to the general public for testing before they have officially announced its existence?”
In related news, watch out for spam messages that claim you received a $50 iTunes gift certificate and spam messages asking you to review a CV (resume).
An image of the spam message informing you that you could get a fee iPhone 4G
The website you’re directed to if you click the link in the spam message
Spammers on Twitter
The page you are directed to if you click a link on Twitter
According to Sophos, there is a spam campaign making the rounds online, tricking users into thinking that if they test a pre-release version of the iPhone 4G, they get to keep it. The spam message asks the user to click a link and fond out more about this offer. If the user does this, he will be directed to a webpage the does nothing more than harvest his personal details – first and last name, address, country, postal code, email.
The same iPhone 4G spam campaign is also making the rounds on popular social networking and micro-blogging service Twitter. Spam messages on Twitter ask users to give click a link, provide their email address, and get a free iPhone 4G. Users will not get an iPhone 4G – what they will do is provide their spammers with personal details like first and last name, date of birth, address, email address and so on.
“Even though it hasn't been officially announced by Apple, and may not be released for a couple of months, there is a lot of buzz on the internet about the iPhone 4G. In their excitement, some internet users might blindly hand over their personal information in the belief that they will get a preview version of what will be one of 2010's hottest gadgets. But being careless with your data risks exposing yourself to more spam in future and costly identity theft,” explained Senior Technology Consultant with Sophos, Graham Cluley. “Apple is a company obsessed with secrecy about its upcoming products - you have to ask yourself, would Apple really be leaking products out to the general public for testing before they have officially announced its existence?”
In related news, watch out for spam messages that claim you received a $50 iTunes gift certificate and spam messages asking you to review a CV (resume).
An image of the spam message informing you that you could get a fee iPhone 4G
The website you’re directed to if you click the link in the spam message
Spammers on Twitter
The page you are directed to if you click a link on Twitter
