Harry Potter fans have become the latest victims of a new wave of spam attacks, according to research conducted by BitDefender.
The spam attack detected by BitDefender researchers is focused around the latest Harry Potter movie, inviting fans to watch the movie free online. Users who click on the link to a “free broadcast” of the movie are redirected to an infected website which warns them about computer infections and prompts the user to download a ‘Personal Antivirus’ software. The user is then promoted to enter their credit card information to download the software. Once the installer component completes the download of Personal Antivirus, it also cleverly connects to a Microsoft® Windows® Update Thank You page to simulate that the software is from a trusted source and it is legitimate.
Vlad Valceanu, head of BitDefender’s anti-spam research said internet users should be cautious of any sites promising free screenings of the latest Harry Potter movie, or any of the latest blockbuster releases, and to be extra vigilant about computer security.
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