Saddam execution "footage" hides deadly virus payload

Virus writers are exploiting the hanging of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to distribute malware.

Researchers at anti-virus company F-Secure said that malware writers are trying to exploit the publicity around the hanging of Saddam Hussein to their own advantage.

"So far we've seen three different examples of malware using Saddam-related themes," said F-Secure's chief research officer Mikko Hypponen on the company's blog. "These are now detected as W32/Banload.BSW, W32/Banload.BSX and Trojan-downloader.Win32.Delf.acc."

He said that two of these types of malware try to disguise their actions by opening up a YouTube page with the Portuguese search keyword "enforcado" (execution).

Rene Millman is a freelance writer and broadcaster who covers cybersecurity, AI, IoT, and the cloud. He also works as a contributing analyst at GigaOm and has previously worked as an analyst for Gartner covering the infrastructure market. He has made numerous television appearances to give his views and expertise on technology trends and companies that affect and shape our lives. You can follow Rene Millman on Twitter.