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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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YouTube Becomes SpamYou

Invitation to view videos could contain malicious 'Storm worm'

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(Newser) – Spammers are spreading their mischief via YouTube using a "Storm" worm virus, security experts warn. The virus exploits the site’s “invite your friends” email function, CNET reports, targeting Xbox owners and video-game fans by luring them with the promise of a popular prize: a free copy of "Halo 3." But click on the email’s links and it turns into a booby prize: the Storm worm launches.

Faced with ever-tightening email filters, spammers have had to innovate. In this case, a seemingly innocent message hits your inbox using a trusted YouTube email address and special software to get around the blurred-character verification system. No need to panic, Digital Trends says: It’s safe to open the email, as long as you delete it without clicking on its links.

In this file image from the website YouTube.com, the online video of self proclaimed 16-year-old Bree, known as LonelyGirl15, is seen on YouTube, one of the most popular sites for amateur videos. The popular Web series LonelyGirl15 marked a milestone recently when it incorporated product placement into an episode....
In this file image from the website YouTube.com, the online video of self proclaimed 16-year-old Bree, known as LonelyGirl15, is seen on YouTube, one of the most popular sites for amateur videos. The...   (Associated Press)
Re: You Tube logo
Re: You Tube logo   (sedenkalkavan (YouTube))
A scam on YouTube is targeting Xbox owners, urging recipients to collect a prize version of the popular game
A scam on YouTube is targeting Xbox owners, urging recipients to collect a prize version of the popular game "Halo 3."   (Adnan959 (YouTube))
About 150,000 spam emails with links to a Trojan 'Storm worm' are reported to have been sent out via YouTube. (AP Photo/Cameron Bloch)
About 150,000 spam emails with links to a Trojan 'Storm worm' are reported to have been sent out via YouTube. (AP Photo/Cameron Bloch)   (Associated Press)
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Related Links

Online videos may be conduits for viruses
Associated Press

Storm worm rising
Slashdot

Just how bad is the Storm worm?
Washington Post

YouTube's 'invite-a-friend' feature exploited to send spam
Sophos.com

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