iYogi Alerts: Online Video Scams

June 28, 2011

What is a video scam? This scam banks on Internet users who can easily be trapped by clicking supposedly an unknown video link, finding it to be of interest.

New York, NY, June 28, 2011 – iYogi, the provider of on-demand remote tech support services, has announced the latest ‘iYogi Scam Alerts‘ report on video scams, which operate through social networking websites. These videos are usually shared through URLs and once clicked spread quickly across profiles’ innumerable connections in a random fashion. Some of them may also result in system corruption or give way to malware intrusion. In order to help users understand the mechanism of such scams and avoid becoming victims, iYogi regularly posts alerts about common scams through its popular ’iYogi Alerts‘ series.

Video scams mostly rely on social networking websites though there are cases of the video URLs being circulated through e-mail – as these sites give access to hundreds of thousands of victims at one go. Perpetrators of the video scam operate by posting interesting sounding links on a target users’ status updates. When a user clicks on the link, it either leads to similar default postings of the link on several other contacts’ pages or will ask the user to fill out a number of surveys, which are just ways to extract personal information that can then be misused. One common example is the “shocking video”, wherein the user is tempted to follow the link that says “What are you doing in this video? It is shocking, “or something similar. Since the link is posted on the users’ profile and usually looks like it has been sent by a friend, s/he often ends up clicking on the link. Another commonly used ruse involves asking the user to click on a link to view X-rated videos of celebrities.

Clicking on links to these scam videos will end up downloading malware on the computer and are uncontrollable once they go into circulation. In reality, there are no videos at all and scammers use these links to download keylogger or other malicious software that are capable of stealing the users’ personal data from the computer. Sometimes, the victim is asked to install Java application or Adobe Flash Player in order to watch the video. But the software that’s offered and installed is fake.

What can be done about it:
iYogi advices not to click on any unsolicited links and not to give away any kind of personal information. If one does end up clicking on such links, one must immediately take steps to remove the offending application from one’s mailbox or social networking account, and also remove the related status message from the newsfeed in order to prevent others from falling prey to it. Moreover, if a scam is suspected or encountered, report it immediately to respective authorities.

What iYogi has to say:
“Sharing and circulating photographs and videos via social networking sites are very common today, which has led scammers to devise the ingenious video scam that plays to everyone’s inherent curiosity to look at an interesting video,” says Vishal Dhar, President Marketing and Co-founder of iYogi. “To avoid becoming victim of such scams, it is important to safeguard oneself by never clicking on unsolicited links regardless of how interesting the subject.”

About iYogi
iYogi is a global on-demand services company that provides personalized computer support for consumers and small businesses in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. iYogi’s unique model, including proprietary iMantra technology and highly qualified technicians, is designed to eliminate computer-related stress and keep millions of digitally dependent consumers and small businesses protected and productive. iYogi — with its proven global expertise delivery model, intelligent customer insight systems, easy-to-use self-help tools and automated PC optimization and computer support services – offers users a simple yet comprehensive path to digital serenity. iYogi has perfected the remote technical support model to overcome the current limitations of in-store, on-site, or call center services. Major resellers and technology companies are turning to iYogi to improve customer satisfaction, reduce return rates, and deliver a compelling new-value added offering to customers. For more information on iYogi and a detailed list of technologies supported, visit: http://www.iyogi.com.