If you’re in Syria, embroiled in war and chaos, right now, chances are good that you’re not thinking about malware. Maybe you are, but staying alive probably trumps anything, and that’s just what the creators of a fake version of YouTube are counting on. Videos on the fake site are aimed at Syrian activists in hopes that they will leave comments. When they do, bam! instant malware download.
The discovery ratchets up the online attacks against Syrian anti-government activists, who have been increasingly targeted by malware which is capable of capturing webcam details, turning off antivirus programs and capturing passwords.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has been warning people about the fake sites and possible malware. It has step-by-step instructions on what to look for, if you think your computer might be affected.
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