Rootkit-laden video is latest to exploit Tibet protests
Shaun Nichols in California, vnunet.com15 Apr 2008
ADVERTISEMENT
A video file laced with a malicious rootkit is the latest attempt by hackers
to cash in on the Beijing Olympics.
The video appears to be a simple protest cartoon packaged in an executable
file. But the 'Race for Tibet' movie also contains a piece of key-logging
malware that installs itself as a driver.
The cartoon shows a Chinese gymnast performing in an event along with images
from the recent riots and government crackdowns in Tibet. The user is then urged
to join a 'race for Tibet' protest.
McAfee researcher Patrick Comiotto warned that the movie initially infects
the user with a malicious driver. The file is installed in the
'%windir%/system32/' driver folder under the name 'dopydwi.sys'.
The file then proceeds to create a .dll file that logs keystrokes which are
later uploaded to a server in China.
The cartoon is the latest in a series of attacks that have tried to take
advantage of the recent events in Tibet and the upcoming Olympic games in
Beijing.
Malware-laden
fake
petitions and press releases were sent out to pro-Tibet groups in early
March following initial rioting in the region.
By last week, the Trojan involved in those attacks was linked to a larger
series of
SQL
website attacks.
Piggybacking on current events has become a common social-engineering tactic
for malware distributors.
Management Information Analyst - Up to £30,231 plus benefits - South West This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Business Analyst or an ambitious Information Analyst to influence a national organisation and contribute to ... more >
Experienced Developer (C#/.NET) - Isle of Man - £30,000 - £55,000 PDMS is a growing and dynamic software house with offices in the Isle of Man and London. We work with a wide variety of ... more >
Central London, United Kingdom | Royal Academy of Music
Head of Technology - London - Competitive salary & benefits The Head of Technology will lead and direct the Academy's Technology department, working with Senior Management to define and implement the IT strategy. The postholder ... more >
IT Network and Security Engineer £40,000 per annum The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is the regulator for Britain's gas and electricity industries. Our role is to protect consumers and enable them to ... more >More job opportunities