Scammers Targeting Members of Pinterest

Researchers at Symantec have cautioned that scammers are aiming attack on Web-surfers, from the newest social-networking site "Pinterest" through a fake survey, which's capable of deceptively getting unsuspecting members to hand over their financial accounts, passwords as also other sensitive information alternatively, download malware on personal computers.

Actually, rather than post pictures, which take onto lawful websites, scammers have used attractive lure like web-links that promise to supply one $100 worth gift card for free.

Moreover, clicking on any web-link from the many offered takes the Pinterest member onto a differently-destined site, which asks him for pinning the offer again, on his personal Pinterest board.

But upon doing so, he's directed for following another web-link that subsequently diverts him onto one false survey site. This site tells him to complete the questionnaire; register his subscription; disclose his private details; alternatively simply download undesirable malware/executables which are really capable of disabling his computer's security.

Lately, Symantec analyzed a few of the malicious campaigns on Pinterest and found that they opened onto CPA (cost-per-action) oriented networks. Thus, whenever an end-user made a winning click, it yielded revenue to the scammer from USD1-64, with even some hundreds of dollars going into his pocket on a single day.

Notably, one security researcher found at least 2 security flaws within Pinterest, which could aid in compromising end-users' accounts.

Meanwhile, the malicious Pinterest campaigns bear a close resemblance with ongoing scams that aim at social-networking websites. Hence, according to Nishant Doshi a Symantec researcher, given the scams that taint well-known social networks, the company recommends end-users that they should shun offers, which seem unbelievably true as well as not pin the said kind of content a second time. Moreover, they should examine personal boards on Pinterest as also eliminate pins associated with any scam survey, he concludes. Infosecurity.com published this on March 14, 2012.

Finally, members of social media websites must understand that they won't be asked for their login or credit card details, alternatively any other personal information via unwanted e-mails or pop ups. This and the above recommendations are essentially the tips for avoiding getting attacked with Pinterest scams.

Related article: Scammers Exploit Tax System Resulting in ID Theft

» SPAMfighter News - 3/29/2012