Porn virus holds gamers to ransom

[Damjan]

The malware, called Kenzero, targets people who have illegally downloaded copies of pornographic "Hentai" games through file-sharing program Winni, the BBC reports.

The Japanese virus tricks the user into thinking they are logging into the game before taking screengrab of their internet history and posting the details online.

The person is then issued with message demanding a 1500 yen ($17) fee to "settle your violation of copyright law" and remove the screengrab from public view.

At least 5500 people have already admitted to being infected by the virus, according to Japanese newspaper Yomiuri.

Rik Ferguson from Japan-based internet security company Trend Micro said the malware had been traced to a fictional person called Shoen Overns.

"We've seen the name before in association with the Zeus and Koobface Trojans," he told the BBC.

"It is an established criminal gang that is continuously involved in this sort of activity.”

Mr Ferguson said Kenzero had many similarities with ransomware, a type of virus which locks personal computer files then demands a fee for their decryption.

He warned people to ignore any requests for payment regarding copyright lawsuits and instead update their anti-malware software.

Source.

[Greensabre13.]

Seriously Steam, you find the weirdest shit on the internet.

[The Bossman]

Saw this on CVG yesterday. While I want to say well done for exposing the sleazers, it's totally wrong for it to happen at all. Still funny though.

[Highwire]

I don't really understand how having your history for the world to see a problem. What if you're over 18? And what if your parents don't have computers? There shouldn't really be a problem, unless the FBI sees.. Then you are officially fucked.

[NickS]

The last thing I want is a porn virus attacking my computer!

First time I've heard of ransomware.

Edited May 19, 2010 by warrior13

[Alvas.]

Seriously Steam, you find the weirdest shit on the internet.

Totally agreed. I don't know how he gets such type of news though.

[WRX22B1998]

hahahahahaha their fault for downloading a hentai game if you're gonna look up pr0n at least make it of humans

[_-Aim-_]

Weird. I usually just settle to day-dreaming, oh well.

[ghost of delete key]

I don't really understand how having your history for the world to see a problem...

Think a bit...

targets people who have illegally downloaded copies of pornographic "Hentai" games

Those hentai games are almost exclusively lolicon. Statistically speaking, if you download that crap, you're also surfing for kiddie pr0n. What baby-fiddler wants their surfing history publicly revealed - and what better group of victims to target?

A pretty ingenious scam, IMHO.

[The Bossman]

Read the post dates before replying. It seems you're bumping topics to just make little comments that annoy people.

[Kitsune Inferno]

You know what's slightly more annoying than thread necromancy? Being a wannabe moderator. This case isn't nearly as pointless or glaring as the last time.

Weird. I usually just settle to day-dreaming, oh well.

This. I have a pretty healthy (healthy is in vivid, not mentally sane) mind and can imagine things Rules 34 and 36 haven't acted on yet.

[Nate10]

You know what's slightly more annoying than thread necromancy? Being a wannabe moderator. This case isn't nearly as pointless or glaring as the last time.

Weird. I usually just settle to day-dreaming, oh well.

This. I have a pretty healthy (healthy is in vivid, not mentally sane) mind and can imagine things Rules 34 and 36 haven't acted on yet.

I laughed, and agree completely. My vivid imagination, though a burden, is also appreciated, especially in times when rule 34 fail on me.

As for the OP, interesting stuff. Would be embarrassing if people found out you got the virus.

Edited August 26, 2010 by Nate10

[Mpilk901]

Here's an idea Inferno, let's discourage members from pointing out other members faults and allow them to wreak havoc throughout the forum? Moderators don't see everything, a little help from the members now and then can be appreciated. Although in this case, simply reporting the incident would be adequate.

[BlackListedB]

Most of us use Free AntiVirus, and some Rootkit protection, but they always say it's free for a reason, you're not getting SOLID protection, I'll use Avira after I heard it's pretty good for the free version, and used to use GriSoft and AVG, however, most started charging. My second PC came with Norton 2006/07, my first computer in 2000 had Windows ME and no AV software, no Firewall, nada

Now I use Microsoft's Security Essentials. Have you had to go above and beyond any of that? Use to try some others out. Malware Bytes I was invited to try as it was just getting off the ground, it's got a very nice user interface given that fact