NEWS Hackers are pointing users to a phoney video of Michael Jackson to coax them into downloading a Trojan horse.
The movie, which hackers posted links to on newsgroups, supposedly displays Jackson performing "un-natural acts" with a boy, reported antivirus firm Sophos.
But instead the link opens a website that automatically downloads a Trojan horse called hackarmy, which allows hackers to enter a back door to infected computers.
"There's no real movie here, just a Trojan that allows hackers to access your computer," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos
"It supposedly gives you pictures of Michael Jackson doing bad things. There's a real danger that people are getting their news from gossip groups like these and not from proper news sites."
The messages have come at a time when Jackson is seeking to ban an Eminem video that shows Eminem dressed as Jackson jumping on a bed with boys. In the video, Eminem's plastic nose falls off and his hair catches fire.
Earlier this week, hackers tried a similar trick with a photo of David Beckham, which downloaded the same Trojan, distributed by the Hackarmy. Hackers have also used photos of Osama bin Laden and Britney Spears to perform similar tricks.
Dan Ilett writes for ZDNet UK
Comments
There are 26 comments. Join the discussion
1. Simona Checherita
I am appalled at the horrible way in which people like the author of this article choose to depict Michael Jackson. The lack of respect for an incredibly wonderful person that the author does not even know personally only makes me feel disgust for the malice in the person writing this piece of news. Michael Jackson is no wacko, at least no more than the rest of us... Mr. Ilett, if you want respect, then show respect! Otherwise people will mistake you for a piece of trash...
2. anonymous
In 1958 when the hospital asked Katherine and Joseph Jackson to give the
name of their child for the birth certificate, they gave the name of
Michael Joseph Jackson. It was never Wacko Jacko!!!!
After over 40 years of performing, his professional stage name has been
and is Michael Jackson. NOT Wacko Jacko!!!
Osama bin Laden who orchestrated for over 3,000 Americans to be killed
on 11th September 2001 in the United States is called his correct name
by the press - why in HELL can't you .. the media called Michael
Jackson ... Michael Jackson.
Calling Michael Jackson ... Wacko Jacko is like using the nigger which is
totally UNACCEPTABLE!! GOT IT!
His name is Michael Jackson not Wacko Jacko!!
3. anonymous
moon walk outer here simona, this is a site for intelligent discussion. Though it does raise the point - what's wrong with paedo freaks getting virus's on their personal computers ? Can this be converted to a detection and monitoring virus for terrorist and sicko net users?
What's preventing websites getting through corporate firewalls with this embedded. Can picture links in eBay store this Trojan technology and should internet policy be reviewed ?
4. anonymous
pleas STOP this video
michael you are innocene
when i saw this video
i cried many time
michale i love you
michael hold on
and go on
you are king of pop
5. Ruprecht
Amazing that even on Silicon.com the Michael Jackson fans are so vocal!?!?
I have to kind of agree that it's a little rude to refer to him as 'Whacko' in this context, whether you think he is or not...
...that said the man is a seriously messed up dude (mentally and physically) and I really do worry about the devotion of some of his 'fans' to the point that is demostrated here...he's is just a pop star, get real folks it's not healthy.
R
;o)
6. Simona Checherita
Dear "Anonymous"-who-lacks-even-the-courage-to-say-his-name, before I moonwalk out of here maybe you should admit that the tone used to present that man called Michael Jackson was inappropriate and more than rude... I believe you should preach the "intelligent discussion" issue to the person who wrote the article rather than to me. At least I have enough brains not to call people names...
7. Matt Thomas
Simona Checherita, do you know him personally? How can you say that he is a wonderful man then? It is called parallel logic. You should educated enough to know that since you are a teacher.
Besides, have you ever watched the interviews of him? How about the one he had made in response to the Bashir interview?? He still comes off as a wacko because the man is seriously damaged. If you think that he is no more wacko than the average person please let me know where you live so that I can steer clear!
8. anonymous
Simona, you state that you are appalled at the horrible way choose to depict an "incredibly wonderful" person that the author does not even know personally. Is this to say that you do know him personally? otherwise how can you say that he is an incredibly wonerful person? You also only see the sides that he (Michael) show us, and the side the media is exhibiting. It is no more proper for you to say he is incredibly wonderful than it is for others to say he is wacko.
9. anonymous
One comment noted the use of "Wacko Jacko" in the sub-heading of this article.
Please note that journalists are often not in control of article headings or sub-headings: editors are.
This sub-heading may not be Dan Ilett's writing, so don't criticise him for it.
By the way, this is a tech website, not a Jackson fanboy site. Comment on the issue, or the writing; don't exercise your personal agendas here.
10. Rita gibson
I wonder what makes sad people like you tick.What a miserable life you must have.Michael's fans are strong, we follow the greatest Entertainer and most wonderful person in the world,and it will take more than you to bring us down.
11. Thinker
Pathetic people...why use something so stupid, who cares about Michael Jackson just leave him and his fans alone. If you all hate him so much why waste your time talking about him. he's been through a lot - give him a break guys!
12. anonymous
Simona, the reason people reply to you in this discussion as "anonymous", is because you sound crazy.
13. Chelsey
Michael Jackson is the king of pop no doubt.But growing up in front of ten million people since the age of 5 automatically makes him diffrent. He is innocent and the reson he is so childlike is because he had his childhood stolen from him,and he wants to re-live that part of his life as much as he can.So give the man a break.
14. Chelsey
michael jacksons face says it all, if thats whats happening on the outside.Then whats going on the inside?
15. Simona Checherita
OK, your comments have forced me to moonwalk back in here. It's incredible to see full-grown people so obsessed with some other person's face or life-style... If you had any moral values in your own life, you would see things for what they really are and would not misjudge someone like Jackson. Get rid of prejudices, people!!!
And when you think that it all started with a single remark on the lack of professionalism on the part of the writer of an article on this supposedly serious site...
16. Algae
yes we have all seen the strange transformation michael jackson has gone through, the whitening of his skin, the thinning of his nose. But, now everyones seemed to have forgotten the young michael, the youngest member of jackson 5, the kid who was winning awards for his music since he was 6,7 or 8 years old. Be kind to him and eachother, no one is crazy they just have their own opinions.
17. Algae
I just want to let everyone know i am a 15 year old girl and i am apalled at what you all are saying to eachother, why do you need to be so negative? This is why the michael jackson case is such a big deal.... because people like you are so quick to judge, and you always have to bite or bite back.... if you all are M.J. fans then you would listen to eachother and give your opinion, not critcize, PLEASE tell me... what is this world coming to?
18. Chelsey xPx
Does anybody agree the man,the king of pop, Michael jackson is a legend and shouldent be judged on looks and, judged on his personality and kindness and giving. Just think, look at his face if thats whats going on on the outside just think of whats going on in the inside.I am a realy realy BIG fan!and understand him deeply.And one more thing if Michael Jackson the king of pop had never been born this world would be whole lot diffrent!
19. have none
unless you know michael personally, i dont think you could understand him the way you claim to. M.J. is old news now, he will never shine like he did befor... y'all should just be thankful that you "knew" him when he was Wonderfully famous
20. Richard Mandell
We're completely missing the issue at hand here. The article is here to discuss the moral merits of Michael Jackson. (honestly, after reading some of the comments posted by "teachers" here I think I'm more appalled by the state of education!) The article, however, is here to discuss the fact that there are trojan viruses that allow hackers entrance to some of our guarded information.
What about right to privacy?
What about level of liberalism on free speech?
What about security issues?
What I'm shocked by is how, when an article brings up so many question worthy of serious debate, the general population turns obsessive over a single name!
We have no ability to see the real problem at hand, but instead jump straight to the etertaining topics like what some celeberty (the man has been medically diagnosed to have some serious mental illnesses, but he still makes good music.) does behind his closed doors.
Good God, now I know why Bush got elected.
21. Lauren Burton
This is what went on in the court, the day the defense cross-examined the accusing mother:
Michael's defence: When did you meet Michael?
The Mom: In August 2001
Michael's defence: According to this official statement/sworn declaration that you gave to The SBPD and District Attorney, you retained an attorney and investigator in January 2001 for the sole purpose of finding out information about Michael Jackson and settling with him. You discussed a settlement concerning Michael Jackson BEFORE you even KNEW him??
The Mom: I.... I.... Well ....
Tom Sneddon: OBJECTION! IRRELEVENT!!!!!!
Judge Melville: Sustained.
22. Erin Brockovich
Richard Mandell, better lose that cynical attitude of yours, otherwise you won't be able to have an intelligent discussion here... As it has been stated before, the main problem is that people continue to judge someone just because of their celebrity status, thus the guilty one here is the writer/editor of the article. I agree this is true, so that person should have stopped at communicating a piece of information rather than stating their feelings towards a certain person in such a disgusting manner! And it seems to me that, if people respond to that name, it's because they want to see him get a fair treatment, and because they must be sick of hearing malicious things everywhere. A human being is much more important than ANY freaking virus on the internet. Get over it!
23. Have None
I totally agree with you, "Erin".
24. Andrew Feinson
Here's a novel suggestion...
why not limit the discussion to the issue raised by the article. Namely that there is a new virus released which purports to have a video of a celebrity engaged in peadophilic acts with a child. The article has nothing to do with Mr. Jackson's mental health, nor his guilt or innocence of any alleged crimes.
"Wacko Jacko" was a term coined by the news media in the early 80s following Mr.Jackson's bizarrely eccentric behaviour, a term which is still in common usage (at least in the media). I'm also quite sure that if Mr. Jackson feels that this term is derogatory, he has the means to defend his name for himself.
The virus has nothing to do with Mr. Jackson other than having his name in the email in order to sucker gullible people (who have probably already made up their own minds about his guilt or innocence) into opening the mail and infecting themselves.
Personally I feel that anyone who has the desire to see sexual acts perpetrated on a child has something wrong with them, and deserves anything they get.
So would all the Michael Jackson fans please get on with your lives.
25. Dom
"Ain't the pictures enough, why do you go through so much. To get the story you need, so you can bury me. You've got the people confused, you tell the stories you choose. You try to get me to lose the man I really am."
These are the words in one of Michael's songs, called "Privacy". Indeed, why do you so stubbornly refuse to leave him alone? Get a life, and stop bashing other people...
26. Pharm
Very nice site!