Online virus targets Michael Jackson fans

ArticleData Array ( [Article] => Array ( [article_id] => 1043657 [headline] => Online virus targets Michael Jackson fans [abstract] => Grieving Michael Jackson fans are the targets of a new online computer virus. [keywords] => michael jackson, computer, internet, scam, virus [content] =>

Grieving Michael Jackson fans are the targets of a new online computer virus.

A mass-mailing worm is using Jackson's death as bait, computer security company Symantec has discovered.

The worm sends out spam emails with the (misspelled) subject "Rememebring (Rememebring) Michael Jackson" and an attachment named "Michael songs and pictures.zip."

The .zip file contains another file called  "MichaelJacksonsongsandpictures.doc.exe" which is a copy of the worm.

When opened, the worm automatically downloads onto the user's machine, then spreads through its email program and also onto removable drives such as USB sticks.

It's just one of a plethora of online scams taking advantage of the Michael Jackson tragedy.

Other examples include spam messages posing as breaking news alerts from trusted news sites.

Symantec anticipates more attempts in the form of fake websites and links on social networking sites.

Ultimately, online users are advised to exercise caution with their viewing habits and seek out trusted sources from their original sites.

"For people looking for news, videos, pictures or any information regarding Michael Jackson and his life, Symantec
recommends that they only visit sites they are familiar with and trust," Symantec Australia and New Zealand managing director Craig Scroggie said.

"Also, don't click on every link related to this story and make sure that your security solutions are up-to-date."

 

[start_date] => 02 July 2009 | 02:39:55 PM [comments_allowed] => 1 [source] => AAP [commentCount] => 0 [video] => [image] => Array ( [caption] => Online scams are targeting Michael Jackson fans after the singer died last week (AAP) [useRegularImage] => 1 [media_library_id] => 96691 [site_id] => 1 [media_library_group_id] => 0 [media_usage_id] => 0 [filename] => site_1_rand_273149177_jackson_tribute_fence_2706_b_aap.jpg [title] => jackson_tribute_fence_2706_B_AAP_273149177 [description] => file:site_1_rand_273149177_jackson_tribute_fence_2706_b_aap.jpg [type] => [height] => 338 [width] => 450 [source] => [video_hi] => [video_lo] => [section] => [display_order] => 0 [create_date] => 2009-06-27 11:56:21 [active] => 1 [media_usage] => Article Large [usageWidth] => 300 [usageHeight] => 225 ) [imagePath] => http://media.sbs.com.au/news/upload_media/ [audio] => [reporter] => [relatedLinks] => Array ( [2] => Array ( [id] => album-396 [label] => Michael Jackson dies [display_order] => 0 [type] => Gallery ) [1] => Array ( [id] => 1043492 [label] => Jackson Neverland funeral ruled out [display_order] => 0 [type] => Article ) [0] => Array ( [id] => 1043246 [label] => Jackson rehearsal video 'exists' [display_order] => 0 [type] => Article ) ) [relatedArticles] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [article_id] => 1043246 [headline] => Jackson rehearsal video 'exists' [abstract] => Footage of Michael Jackson rehearsing for his planned comeback concerts in London exists and could be released to the public at some point, the organisers of the shows said. [content] =>

Footage of Michael Jackson rehearsing for his planned comeback concerts in London exists and could be released to the public at some point, the organisers of the shows said.

The president of promoters AEG Live, Randy Phillips, told Sky News television that video of the pop legend preparing for the 50 scheduled shows would disprove rumours that he was incredibly frail before his death.

"We may at some point release some footage of him in rehearsal that would totally refute that," he said.

Photographer Kevin Mazur also described Jackson as being in good form at a rehearsal just hours before his death. "He was like an expectant father pacing up and down the stage.

He was just so focused. Between songs, he burst into laughter and joked around with his dancers and the director.

I have never seen him so happy," Mazur told the Sun in an interview published on Wednesday.

Jackson, who died on Thursday, never released a live album, and any video and accompanying audio recordings of his rehearsal could be worth a fortune.

Phillips also said he hoped to recreate the shows that were due to start on July 13, saying the production was "bigger than anything else could ever have been ... at some point the world needs to see this production."

"I would imagine if we could do it, it would be done as a tribute, with the family, with the brothers performing, and some of the sisters, but also other stars who loved Michael," he said.

Jackson made his final public appearance in London in March to announce the string of shows at the capital's O2 arena.

AEG Live have said they will offer a full refund to all fans who were due to attend. Alternatively, ticket holders can send off for their specially designed tickets to keep as memorabilia.

Phillips also said he would have preferred Jackson to have a doctor in London, but the star insisted on hiring Conrad Murray -- who was with Jackson in the final hours before his death -- as his around-the-clock physician.

Amid speculation that excessive use of powerful prescription pain killers may have played a role in Jackson's death, attention has focused on Murray.

The doctor's lawyers and law enforcement sources have said he is not suspected of wrongdoing and has co-operated with the investigation.

"Michael insisted on hiring Dr Murray because he told us he was his personal physician. He told one of our outside counsel ... that he had been Michael's personal physician for three years," Phillips recalled.

"And then Michael told me, he said: 'You don't understand, my body is the machine that fuels this business and I need personal care and I want a doctor 24-7, like President Obama would have. And this is my doctor."

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The family of Michael Jackson ruled out holding a poignant funeral at the star's Neverland estate on Wednesday as the singer's will was made public for the first time.

An army of journalists and crowds of fans had flocked to Jackson's sprawling Neverland Ranch estate on Tuesday after reports the King of Pop's body would be placed on display for a public viewing before a private service on Sunday.

 

However, the Jackson family dispelled frenzied speculation that the funeral could see Neverland evolve into a permanent resting place for the icon similar to Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis.

'No viewing at Neverland'
  
"Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland," a statement released by the family's public relations firm said.
  
"Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly."
  
The Los Angeles Times reported earlier that the Jackson family's hopes of burying the singer at his sprawling rural estate northwest of Los Angeles had fallen victim to red tape.
  
However, Santa Barbara County communications director William Boyer told news agency AFP  that authorities had never received any contact from the Jackson family concerning the funeral.
  
"We would love to be able to talk directly with the Jackson family or their representatives," Boyer said. "We've been trying to reach them directly. We've had no formal contact at all. There's been no requests."
  
Local media reported a public memorial for Jackson may now be held at the 20,000-seat Staples Center or the bigger Los Angeles Coliseum, venue for the 1984 Olympic Games.
  
The confusion over Jackson's funeral arrangements came as the picture surrounding the star's estate appeared to clear with the emergence of a 2002 will filed at Los Angeles Superior Court.

Diana Ross named back-up guardian
  
In yet another surprising twist to the aftermath of Jackson's death, it was revealed that soul legend Diana Ross had been named as a back-up guardian to the singer's children in the event of his mother Katherine's death.
  
The five-page document also revealed the singer's assets were to be left in the Michael Jackson Family Trust but the terms of the trust were not disclosed.
  
Documents filed in addition to the will valued Jackson's estate at more than 500 million dollars, although it was not clear how that figure had been reached. Jackson was believed to be heavily in debt at the time of his death.
  
While Katherine Jackson was named as carer for the pop icon's children, soul legend Ross, 65, was named as guardian if the singer's mother died before him.
  
Three associates for Jackson -- attorney John Branca, music executive John McClain and accountant Barry Siegel -- were named co-executors of the will.
  

Father not mentioned in will

There was no mention anywhere of Jackson's father Joe in the will while the document also confirmed no provisions had been made for ex-wife Debbie Rowe.
  
On Monday a court granted Katherine Jackson temporary guardianship of the singer's children, Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael II, 7, and appointed her as temporary administrator of her son's estate.
  
A judge rejected a move by Branca and McClain to have Katherine Jackson removed as administrator of the estate. A hearing has been set for July 6.

Toxicology test results pending
  
Jackson died from an apparent cardiac arrest on Thursday aged 50. A cause of death has not yet been determined pending the results of toxicology tests.
  
However there was renewed speculation linking the singer to powerful prescription drugs Wednesday amid reports that the sedative Propofol -- often used as an anesthetic in hospitals -- was found at his home.
  
"There is no conceivable way this drug can be properly prescribed for home use," a source told TMZ.com, which described the drug as an "extremely dangerous and potent" substance only available to medical personnel.
  
Earlier, a former nurse who cared for Jackson told CNN the star pleaded with her to provide him with Diprivan -- the brand name for Propofol -- in the last months of his life.
  
Police detectives are reportedly seeking to identify and interview "multiple doctors" who treated Jackson in the years before his death.
  
Meanwhile Jackson had shot to the top of the charts in the United States with Billboard revealing that the singer's music occupied nine of the top 10 spots on the Top Pop Catalog Album chart.

 

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