Online scammers jump on bin Laden news
NEW YORK — Online thieves and spammers are using the killing of Osama bin Laden to send out malicious software and spam to unwitting Internet users.
In what's become common practice among the Internet's less savory citizens, these scammers are sending out emails and spreading Facebook posts that purport to be videos or photos of the dead bin Laden.
They are not. But by clicking the links, users can download computer viruses that steal personal information or otherwise infect their computers.
Computer security firm Symantec says one spam email contains a link to bogus photos and videos purporting to be from CNN Mexico. Instead, it directs people to a scam site designed to look like the real thing but created to steal passwords. Facebook users also fell victim to fake bin Laden links.