RSSBeware of Roller Coaster Accident Video
There is a new viral video making its way around the Internet, but do not watch it! The video is actually malware, which can infect your computer and give hackers a gateway to your private, personal information. It is said to be “shocking” footage of a roller coaster accident that supposedly happened at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
The video has many different titles, but each one claims to have “unbelievable”, “scary”, or “shocking” footage of park patrons being killed on one of the rides. Some of the titles will say “18 dead” or “16 dead”, and then “8 in critical condition.” There is a discrepancy in these numbers, and sometimes the video will say the accident happened at Disney World. Fortunately for those people, there was never an accident. Unfortunately for curious Internet users, this video will install dangerous spyware and malware on your computer.
When the video is about to load, users see a prompt from “Foxs News”. Note the S at the end of Fox? This may confuse users into thinking they are actually watching the video from a major news source, and thus “trust” the installation of applications. A trick that these hackers will use, is to prompt you with messages like, “your video player is out of date, click here to install important updates.” Well, those important updates, turn out to be vicious malware!
This malware even goes a step further, as it will ask the user to enter their Facebook username and password, or their email address. Then, the hackers have access to your Facebook account, and can solicit all of your friends with the same malware, or with other promises, gimmicks, commercials or get-rich-quick schemes. And all the while, your Facebook friends will think it was from you! Anyone who has had their Facebook profile compromised, realize how hard it can be to clean up the wounds.
The best course of action is to never open viral videos that appear in your email, or from websites that you have not visited in the past. No matter how tempting it may be to watch the video, resist the urge, and only watch videos on trusted sites. And also, never use your Facebook profile to sign into unknown applications, as it opens your account, and all of your friends, to possible hackers.
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.