Fact Check

Obama Acceptance Speech Virus

Information about the 'Amazing Speech by Obama' computer virus warnings.

David Mikkelson

Published Nov 6, 2008

Virus:   "Obama Acceptance Speech" or "Amazing Speech by Obama"

REAL VIRUS

Examples:


[Collected via e-mail, November, 2008]

It has recently been brought to our attention that some scam emails are being propagated with a subject line of any of the following. Please do not open any of these messages, simply delete them.

McCane dies of heart attack
Amazing speech by Obama
Election Center 2008: Primary Results
World Welcomes Obama's Win
Barack Obama in Danger - McCain will fight for president post

These email messages may appear to be from legitimate news sources, and will try to lure you into clicking on a link that will direct you to a malicious web site, or opening an infected video clip or attachment.
 

[Collected via e-mail, December, 2008]

This email came from a source at the Secret Service, so please be aware of any mails with the subject line below.

THERE IS AN EMAIL WITH SUBJECT LINE OBAMA ACCEPTANCE SPEECH FLOATING AROUND WITH A TROJAN HORSE ATTACHMENT.

DO NOT OPEN FOR ANY REASON. DELETE IMMEDIATELY.

THE TROJAN STEALS ALL PASSWORDS AND USER IDS.

SPREAD THE WORD.

Do not open ("Obama Acceptance Speech").


 

Origins:   Messages purporting to offer links to news sites or videos with information about a current news event of great importance have long been used as successful virus lures, and the U.S. presidential election of November 2008 offered another prime opportunity for a renewed flood of malware-spreading spam. Carrying subject lines advertising news such as the following, this crop of messages appeared to originate with legitimate news sources and offered recipients links to view a video of President-Elect Barack Obama's post-election speech:


  • A new president, a new congress ...

  • Barack Obama wins

  • Can Obama win popular vote but lose election?

  • Did Obama Win Yet?

  • Election 2008: Time lapse of U.S. counties

  • Election Center 2008 - Election Results

  • Election Night Results

  • Fear of a Black President

  • New president's

  • Obama win an Electoral College majority

  • Obama win Defined by Race

  • Obama win preferred in world poll

  • Obama win sets stage for showdown

  • Obama Wouldnt Be First Black President

  • Obama's Win Reshapes the Race

  • Priorities for the New President - TIME

  • The new President's cabinet?

  • USA Election 2008 Results

  • Will American Voters Elect a Black President

  • World Welcomes Obama's Win

The enclosed video links direct recipients to a malicious web site that tries to trick users into downloading a file (Adobe_flash9.exe) purportedly offering an updated version of Adobe Flash but actually harboring password-stealing malware.

Last updated:   5 January 2009

By David Mikkelson

David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994.