The mode of cybercrime or phishing is reportedly stalking internet users, exploited by hackers through the 2021 Oscar film award.
Kaspersky experts have discovered phishing websites. They offer free Oscar-nominated film screenings before the event rewards. Which actually aim to steal the user’s credentials.
“While the event is spreading around the world, in the online world. Online fraudsters also take advantage of this momentum to carry out their actions in spreading malicious files. Then, it disguised as the best film nominees,” Kaspersky said in a written statement, Monday (26/4).
Beware of Fake Sites!
With the hope of being able to watch an Oscar nominated film. Users are instead directed to visit a fake website that shows the first few minutes of the film until they are finally asked to register in order to continue watching.
At the time of registering, to confirm the area of residence, the victim was asked to enter bank card details. Some time later, money will be debited from the card, and as expected the movie cannot be played back.
This type of scam is widespread and is rated as one of the most popular among scammers.
Kaspersky has analyzed the malicious files behind Oscar nominations 2021. As a result researchers found about 80 files masquerading as films nominated in the best film at the Oscars 2021.
Malicious File Posing as Film
The experts found that nearly 70 percent of the malicious file is only masquerading as three films namely Promising Young Woman, Judas and the Black Messiah, and Trial of the Chicago 7.
According to Kaspersky, the biographical drama Judas and the Black Messiah is the most widely used source for spreading malicious files. The movie-related malware took up 26 percent of the total infected files.
Meanwhile, Promising Young Woman, and the Trial of the Chicago 7 closed the top three, with 22 percent and 21 percent, respectively. Overall experts highlight that the spread of malware under the guise of popular films is not what hackers are interested in recently.
“Cybercriminals are always trying to monetize user interest in a variety of entertainment sources, including films. We see that major events in the film industry can increase the interest of the threat actor community,” said Kaspersky security expert Anton V. Ivanov.