McAfee Launches Online Security Awareness Program in Film Series

California-based online security company, McAfee, has taken a difficult task of educating people about the human complexities and tragic aftereffects of cyber crime in a new Hollywood style.

McAfee launched the first part of a series of six films on May 20, 2009. The film series titled "H Commerce: The Business of Hacking You" will be available at www.StopHCommerce for public viewing and will be changed after every two weeks.

The security company has documented the film in narrative approach and primarily focused on Janella Spear, who was defrauded of over $440,000 by cyber criminals in the past few months.

The series include a video film of how Janella Spear, resident of Sweet Home in Oregon, became the victim of sophisticated cyber attacks while doing genealogical research. She was attracted by a phishing e-mail that claimed of making her heir of $20 Million left by a deceased relative, but she had to send money to Africa.

The problem of Spear was further compounded by young granddaughter who was suffering from cancer and her need to link her deaf husband, who was also orphaned during his childhood, to his real family.

During the film, Spears is introduced to Chris Roberts, a forensic expert, who pledges to remove malware from her system and deals with the hackers. The most striking part of the film is the multifaceted role played by Chris Roberts, both as a tech support and counselor, to help Spear coming out from emotional pressure brought by rising debt on her family and increasing anger and distrust of her husband towards her.

Jeff Green, Senior Vice President, McAfee Avert Labs, said that hacking had evolved into a very lucrative international business ran by the professionals, as reported by Securitypronews on May 20, 2009. Cyber criminals deceive people very cleverly to make them victim.

Green further added that viewers should place themselves at Ms. Spears' position and understand the gravity of the threat and problems faced by the victims.

According to the security company, the total loss from Internet scams and crimes in the US mounted to nearly $8.5 Billion in the past two years (2007&08). People's mailboxes were flooded with fake e-mail and spam, but generally these are viewed as normal and no a serious threat.

Related article: McAfee Alerts Windows about Accessibility Hole in Vista

» SPAMfighter News - 5/26/2009