Researchers at security firm McAfee said that attackers were embedding blog pages with URLs for malicious sites that claim to offer a video of the killing.
Users who attempt to view the video are prompted to download what the site claims is a codec file needed to 'translate' the video.
The 'codec' is actually a Trojan program that installs malware on the user's system.
Other sites then attempt to exploit a previously patched flaw in Internet Explorer to install the malware.
The use of major news events as a means of spreading malware is not uncommon. The infamous Storm worm surfaced early last year as an attachment to fake emails about flooding in Europe.
Criminals also used the Virginia Tech shootings, the London terror bombing, and Hurricane Katrina to bring in victims online.
The use of fake codecs is also a common tactic for spreading malware. Attackers will often use the promise of pornographic videos to lure users into downloading and installing Trojans.
The recent MacOS X Trojan was one such example of such an attack, using the fake video files to deliver a DNS changer.
Malware writers exploit Bhutto killing
The assassination of former Pakistan president Benazir Bhutto has become the latest hook to lure users to malicious websites..
Add iTnews as your trusted source
Got a news tip for our journalists? Share it with us anonymously here.
Partner Content
iTnews State of Security Breakfast comes to Sydney
.png&h=140&w=231&c=1&s=0)
Promoted Content
From ambition to impact: The next era of government transformation.
Promoted Content
How David Jones, Canva and others are putting agentic AI to work
.jpg&h=140&w=231&c=1&s=0)
Partner Content
From data overload to decisive action – accelerating decisions with AI agents
What’s Next?
Cloud Resilience Summit
iTnews Benchmark Security Awards 2026
iTnews State of Security Breakfast Sydney
iTnews Executive Retreat - Security Leaders Edition - VIC
