ALERT: Holiday Trending Topics Could Be Used For Spreading Malware

PandaLabs, the anti-malware treat-finding branch of Panda Security, has uncovered a disturbing new security breach that hackers seem to be capitalizing on: targeting Twitter's Trending Topics. Hackers are using holiday-themed Trending Topics to target a wide range of Twitter users with links that contain malware. We have more details on the security threat and how you can avoid it below. PandaLabs reports that hackers are targeting such current or former Trending Topics as “Advent calendar”, “Hanukkah” and “Grinch” to spread their malware. The company has uncovered thousands of tweets containing malware that target these topics. The following is an example of these malware-containing tweets: It's important to note that you won't be exposed to malware if you just see the offending tweets, so no harm will come to you by simply exploring Twitter's Trending Topics. However, clicking on a link like the one included in the above tweet will take you to a PDF document that downloads false codecs and trojans onto your computer. PandaLabs notes that hackers have also been discovered using non-holiday themed Trending Topics to spread malware, including the Sundance festival and the recent AIDS campaign. Here are some tips from PandaLabs on avoiding malware: Don’t click suspicious links from non-trusted sources. This should apply to messages received through Twitter, through other social networks and even via email. If you click on the links, check the target page. If you don’t recognize it, close your browser. Even if you don’t see anything strange in the target page, but you are asked to download something, don’t accept. If you do download or install an executable file and the PC starts to launch messages or behaves strangely, there is probably malware on your computer. In this case, you should check your computer with a free online scanner such as Panda ActiveScan. As a general rule, make sure your computer is well protected to ensure that you are not exposed to the risk of infection from any malicious code. You can protect yourself with the new, free Panda Cloud Antivirus solution.

Social Pro Daily

ALERT: Holiday Trending Topics Could Be Used For Spreading Malware

Lauren Dugan

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Lauren Dugan