Michael Jackson Viruses-Truth!

Viruses Uses Michael Jackson's Name to Gain Access to Your Computer-Truth!

Summary of the eRumor
The eRumor says there is a virus on the Internet that claims Michael Jackson attempted suicide.
The email, which circulated during the close of Michael Jackson's trial on molestation and other charges, contains a "Trojan horse" type virus that will go on to find and detect other computers.

Another email claims to have pictures of Michael Jackson that could put him behind bars for a long time.

The Truth
Both of these viruses are true, but the information about Michael Jackson is not.
They use the interest in Michael Jackson and his trial in California to try to lure you to click the attachment to the email and infect you with what is called a "Trojan horse" virus.

It's one of the tactics virus writers are using to entice you to open an infected attachment...using the names of celebrities.

The Michael Jackson viruses have a couple of themes.
One of them, which circulated while the jury was deliberating in Michael Jackson's 2005 molestation trial, says that he attempted suicide at his Neverland Ranch and left a suicide note admitting his crimes.
There is a "read more" link and if you click it, you are taken to a website that delivers the Barobt-Gen Trojan horse which allows other computers to have unauthorized access to your computer, usually for the purpose of using your computer as part of a network of computers to, for example, assault a selected website with so many computers trying to access it that it overwhelms it.

Another claims to have incriminating pictures of him that will send him to jail.
The email subject is "Michael Jackson Home Movie Horror."
The message body says "Posted here are the pictures that are going to put Michael Jackson behind bars for a very long time. Disturbing stills taken from the home movies shot by Mr. Jackson are now circulating the Net. In these pictures here, it can be clearly seen that Mr. Jackson is performing un-natural acts with the boy in question."

Other viruses have come with promises to show nude pictures of Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Anna Kournikova, and Pamela Anderson, or have announced that Osama Bin Laden has been captured.

A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:

Windows e-mail virus is trying to ensnare victims by claiming that Michael Jackson has attempted suicide, say computer security firms.

The message hopes to catch people's attention because of the huge interest in the on-going child abuse trial.

The fake message contains a web link that supposedly links to Mr Jackson's suicide note.

But anyone clicking on the link will have their PC invaded by a virus that gives others access to that machine.

Infectious link

The message was first discovered early on 10 June and already anti-virus companies have seen many copies of the e-mail circulating online.

Like many recent Windows viruses the malicious message does not use a technical trick or loophole to infect machines. Instead it relies on tricking users into infecting themselves.

The badly-spelled message - its subject line is "Suicidal attempt" - claims that the suicide attempt was in reaction to the stress of the trial. A verdict is due in the case soon.

Those who click on the link in the fake e-mail to see the supposed suicide note will get a message suggesting that the site hosting it is busy.

"That may not surprise people who think it might contain genuine breaking news about Michael Jackson," said Carole Theriault, security consultant for security firm Sophos.

Do not click

Ms Theriault said the busy message is a diversionary tactic because, unseen, a virus is being downloaded on to a user's machine.

The virus downloaded is a variant of the Borobt-Gen trojan which gives the virus' creator a backdoor into infected machines.

"The sick minds behind viruses and other malware often exploit celebrity names and news stories in an attempt to infect as many people as possible," said Ms Theriault.

She urged users to be wary of clicking on links or opening attachments in unsolicited e-mail messages.