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YouTube fake tool dumbs down malware distribution

Nothing on the internet is real, man

By John Leyden • Get more from this author

Posted in Anti-Virus, 12th September 2008 11:37 GMT

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Miscreants have created a tool that dumbs down the process of using fake YouTube websites to spread malware.

The YFakeCreator tool allows budding VXers to set up a fake site and configure options such as the properties of a supposed video. Typically users are required to download a fake codec to view content, which is not actually on offer. The codec contains the malware payload which can be anything from adware to a Trojan.

The tool also includes the ability to set-up a fake error message in a bid to disguise any attack.

Would-be virus writers would still need to mount a spam campaign in order to dupe prospective marks into visiting sites created by YFakeCreator, but the tool does reduce the overall work needed to mount an attack.

The tool was spotted by net security firm Panda Security which has published a full write-up, including screenshots of the tool, here. Panda discovered the tool on underground hacking forums.

YFakeCreator is far from an isolated example of tools that remove the need to understand coding from the task of malware distribution. For example, Panda found a tool that can turn any executable file into a worm on underground forums back in June. ®

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