See that? This is what I'm talkin' about! Thoroughly researched, explained in proper detail, and above all, plausible. (Apparently this actually happened, of course.) None of this embedded-into-images stuff...!
Of course, practically any respectable social networking site could conceivably be a target for this kind of malware trickery, but Wikipedia is particularly tempting for virus authors because of its popularity, and of course the nature of the system - especially the fact that prior article revisions can be linked to in a simple URL.
Anyway, I hope nobody got infected... They'll use this as further proof that the posting-approval system should be implemented, but IMO that isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I'd be fully in favor of it, if it weren't for a small minority of admins that appear to be completely untrustworthy!
Abusing Wikipedia's good name and open nature. Malware writers have used a Wikipedia article and special storage features to attempt to plant malicious code on unsuspecting users' systems, the online encyclopedia's organisers have confirmed.
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...69373/index.cfm
Hackers are using online encyclopaedia Wikipedia to spread malware, according to a security firm. Sophos discovered that hackers had created an article on the German edition of Wikipedia containing false information about a new version of the Blaster worm, along with a link to a fix.
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...edia-dupe-users
Achtung! Hackers have hijacked links on a Wikipedia article to trick users into downloading malware.…
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...blaster_attack/
Malware writers have used a Wikipedia article and special storage features to attempt to plant malicious code on unsuspecting users' systems, the online encyclopedia's organisers have confirmed.
http://pody.newsvine.com/_news/2006/11/03/...cked-by-malware
eldavojohn writes "The German Wikipedia has recently been used to launch a virus attack. Hackers posted a link to an all alleged fix for a new version of the blaster worm. Instead, it was a link to download malicious software. They then sent e-mails advising people to update their computers and directed them to the Wikipedia article. Since Wikipedia has been gaining more trust & credibility, I
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...1834/article.pl
The free-for-all nature of Wikipedia has not only left it open to plagiarism; it's also made the encyclopaedia a vehicle for spreading malware.
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...3.html?from=rss
The free-for-all nature of Wikipedia has not only left it open to plagiarism; it's also made the encyclopaedia a vehicle for spreading malware. -
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...2661592703.html
INSECURITY outfit Sophos says that crackers are using the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia to spread viruses.
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...x?article=35540
Malware writers have taken advantage of Wikipedia?s policy of openness by attempting to use the site to insert malicious code onto users PCs, according to a report on Techworld.
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...12528/index.cfm
Sophos has alerted internet users to a potential security risk that could be encountered by following advice posted on a Wikipedia page. The offending page was in the German edition of Wikipedia.
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...e=news&ID=30975
c|net - "A Wikipedia page has been used by hackers in an attempt to spread malicious code.
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...m/?read=6283200
Malware writers have used a Wikipedia article to lead users to a booby-trapped page that contained malicious code designed to plant viruses on the computers of unsuspecting users. The hackers created a Wikipedia page that offered a Windows security update for a version of the Lovesan/W32.Blaster worm, and included a link to an external site that was labeled with the name
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...?story_id=47646
The very openness of websites like Wikipedia - which allow anyone to edit pages - makes them terrific, but can also make them less trustworthy," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos.
http://insight.newsvine.com/_news/2006/11/...arget-wikipedia
A Wikipedia page has been used by hackers in an attempt to spread malicious code.
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...-to-spread.html
The open nature of online encyclopedia Wikipedia in which anyone can submit and edit articles is what has made the service a staple of the Internet. However, that same openness was used on Friday to hijack an entry and trick users into downloading a virus.
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...irus/1162837865
Security company Sophos has reminded computer users to be wary of unsolicited emails and believing everything they read on the internet, after hackers took advantage of the popular Wikipedia encyclopedia in their attempt to spread malicious code.
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...ews.php?id=6939
A Wikipedia page has been used by hackers in an attempt to spread malicious code. The entry for the W32.Blaster worm in the German version of the popular online encyclopedia was altered to include false information about a new version of the Lovesan/MS Blaster worm, with links to a "fix" that is a malicious code.
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...us_x.htm?csp=34
Malware writers have used a Wikipedia article to lead users to a booby-trapped page that contained malicious code designed to plant viruses on the computers of unsuspecting users.
Article: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/searc...106/bs_nf/47646