msnbc.com
Jackson suicide rumor spreads virus
E-mail link directs users to Website, Trojan horse
Updated: 12:58 p.m. ET June 10, 2005AMSTERDAM - E-mails 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 Web site which secretly installs malicious code on their computers.
"If you click on the link, the Web site 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.
© Reuters 2005. All rights reserved.
Jackson suicide rumor spreads virus
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