Jackson suicide rumor spreads virus

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8169177/

Jackson suicide rumor spreads virus
E-mail link directs users to Website, Trojan horse

Updated: 10:23 a.m. ET June 10, 2005

AMSTERDAM - Emails claiming pop star Michael Jackson, on trial on sex abuse charges, has tried to kill himself are being spread by hackers as a means to break into computers, a British anti-virus firm said on Friday.

The hackers have sent emails with the subject "Re: Suicidal attempt" and the message text: "Last night, while in his Neverland Ranch, Michael Jackson has made a suicidal attempt", said security software specialists at Sophos.

Jackson is awaiting a California court verdict on charges of child molestation.

The email asks recipients to click on a link that takes them to a website which secretly installs malicious code on their computers.

"If you click on the link, the website displays a message saying it is too busy, which may not surprise people who think it might contain genuine breaking news about Michael Jackson," said Carole Theriault, security consultant at SophosLabs.

<</SNIP>>

[LoZoccolo]

1. In a way, they're correct.

When Michael Jackson pulled the stunt where he directed a children's choir outside the courthouse a while ago, it was an attempt to enhance his public image which was actually suicidal to it!

[KurtNYC]

2. Hacker email spreads horribly grammar

NYC - Even those who don't click the link will have their screens invaded by horrible grammar.

Said one retired English teacher who received the spam, "I was horrified that someone would use the adjective form of 'suicide' in place of the noun. I mean, what are they teaching kids these days? Oh sure they can trojan horse your hard drive but do they have to abuse the English language while doing it?! And that sentence! 'a suicidal attempt' at what? and 'has made' with the erroneous 'has' -- spam like this gives me nightmares!"


edited for grammar ;-)