Ford Targeted in Malware Scam

Targeted Blackhat SEO Attack against Ford Motor Co. from Panda Security on Vimeo.

SEO attack attempts to steal credit card data

By Michael Gauthier
April 15, 2009 2:32 PM
Filed Under: American, Ford, Gadgets, Industry

Ford has revealed that they are being targeted in a black hat Search Engine Optimization (SEO) malware attack.

This type of attack directs users who search for Ford related information to malicious websites where they will be asked to download a "codec" in order to view the information they are looking for. After a person accepts the download, a fake anti-virus program pops up and informs them that their computer is infected and they need to purchase a fraudulent anti-virus program in order to clean it.

When the unsuspecting individual enters their personal information and credit card data, it is sent to these virtual criminals who will likely rack up huge bills in their name and cause a plethora of other problems. If a person declines to purchase the fake software, it retaliates by preventing the computer from working properly in an attempt to force the user into buying the bogus program.

Although it is unclear as to how wide spread this attack is, Ford is working with Google and other search engines to help mitigate the impact.

As always, be sure to regularly update and scan your computer with the latest anti-virus and anti-malware software.

Source: Ford

Press Release (Click to expand)

DEARBORN, Mich, Apr. 14, 2009 - Ford Motor Company was made aware of a black hat Search Engine Optimization (SEO) attack using the Ford Motor Company name as bait to distribute malware on the Internet. Ford is collaborating with Google and other search engine companies to mitigate the impact.

These attacks work by misleading search engines to falsely promote malicious pages to the top of the search results. Once the user visits one of the malicious sites, they are prompted to download and install a malicious "codec", which then installs software that mimics anti-virus software.

These fake antivirus programs are designed to make users believe that their computers have been infected by malware. Users are then offered the chance - through pop-ups and banner ads - to buy the fake antivirus to clean their computers. If the victim does not purchase the bogus antivirus, the malicious code will prevent the computer from operating properly in an attempt to coax users into buying the product.

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Tags: Malware, Internet scam, black hat SEO, SEO

Comments

BabyMilo

April 15, 2009 3:20 PM

That is just sick - i dont understand why you would do this. Some people are just such low life scum

afterace2

April 15, 2009 4:37 PM

Malware is getting more and more popular recently. You have to really pay attention what you open and what you download.

911fnatic

April 15, 2009 7:40 PM

Its really not that hard to have a little awareness, half of these scams are so blindingly obvious, yet people still manage to get caught up in them. Maybe I'm too tech savvy.

mortz

April 15, 2009 9:33 PM

Makes me sick, go get a real job and work for your money instead of trying to take it from people who earn a honest living. they need to be shot with a piece of their own rolled up poo.

Viking79

April 15, 2009 9:57 PM

Could the malware be coming from some very angry employees of GM / Chrysler??

jandrews90

April 16, 2009 1:16 AM

who is stupid enough to just hand their credit card information over like this? little tip, when you get a pop up saying your computer has a virus, don't give them your money! duh!

pismeov

April 16, 2009 1:57 AM

if you're stupid enough to fall for that, then it's almost like you deserve it. i mean come on, they're ASKING you to download the malware first. the moment a site prompts you to download a codec just to watch a video, you should close that site. think about it before downloading something so suspicious. second, if you do download it and run it, and you should know by then that you have a virus, why the hell would you give the people that wrote that virus money? this kind of malware has been around for a while now, and only suckers actually give in to it.

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