BUCHAREST, ROMANIA -- 04/23/08 --
Researchers from
BitDefender®, an award-winning
provider of antivirus software and data security solutions, have detected
that social networks are the newest medium for Nigerian "4-1-9" scams. The
scam has been put to use on the professional networking website
LinkedIn, as well as other social
networking websites. LinkedIn Corporation is the world's largest online
professional network, with more than 21 million users worldwide.
A social
network site uses software to build online social networks for
communities of people who share interests and activities or who are
interested in exploring the interests and activities of others.
In the most recent outbreak of the Nigerian scam -- an
advance fee fraud that is estimated to gross hundreds of millions of
dollars annually -- the scam letter is sent as a LinkedIn or other social
networking sites' invite to join the user's network. A profile page is
established with the social networking site, to make the claims in the scam
letter appear legitimate. Since the scams are only delivered to the social
networking site's user accounts, they completely bypass antispam filters.
Since identification of the scam, BitDefender has been collaborating with
LinkedIn to address the issue.
"I think this new twist is more dangerous than the old 4-1-9 scheme because
of the increased chance for network users to fall for the scam," said
BitDefender CTO, Bogdan Dumitru. "Since LinkedIn and other social
networking sites are used to build up businesses or careers, users tend to
view the invitations as trustworthy."
Most social networking sites do not verify the identity of those who join,
which can lead to abuse.
"On LinkedIn, individuals have full control over their networks," said Kay
Luo, LinkedIn's Director of Corporate Communications. "Users decide who to
allow into their networks and which introductions to pass along."
LinkedIn has always recommended the following best practices when sending
and receiving invitations:
-- Only accept LinkedIn invitations from people you know and trust.
-- Personalize your LinkedIn invitations and messages so that the
recipient knows who you are. If necessary, remind the person of how you
know each other
For further details on the new celebrity spam botnet, please visit
BitDefender's Defense
Portal site.
About BitDefender®
BitDefender is the creator of one of the industry's fastest and most
effective lines of internationally certified security software. Since our
inception in 2001, BitDefender has continued to raise the bar and set new
standards in proactive threat prevention. Every day, BitDefender protects
tens of millions of home and corporate users across the globe -- giving
them the peace of mind of knowing that their digital experiences will be
secure. BitDefender solutions are distributed by a global network of
value-added distribution and reseller partners in more than 100 countries
worldwide. More information is available at www.bitdefender.com.
About LinkedIn
LinkedIn takes your professional network online, giving you access to
people, knowledge, jobs and opportunities like never before. Built upon
trusted connections and relationships, LinkedIn has established the world's
largest and most powerful professional network. Currently, more than 21
million professionals are on LinkedIn, including executives from all five
hundred of the Fortune 500 companies, as well as a wide range of household
names in technology, financial services, media, consumer packaged goods,
entertainment, and numerous other industries. LinkedIn is backed by
world-class investors including Sequoia Capital, Greylock, the European
Founders Fund, and Bessemer Venture Partners.
