Fans have been waiting a year for the anticipated Barbie Movie. However, it has been reported that criminals have been using the popularity of the movie to their advantage by sending fake links to Barbie videos to deceive victims. If a victim clicks the link it can result in their personal details like name, email address and bank details being stolen and used against their will, giving criminals access to victims’ bank accounts and other online platforms.
“They often leverage popular and well-publicized events such as movie premieres, concerts, or sporting events to trick users into clicking on malicious links.”
Steve Grobman CTO of McAfee
This crime is known as phishing, it’s a form of social engineering where attackers trick victims into revealing sensitive information. Fans have been receiving these suspicious messages via email, SMS text or through social media messages. The criminals have been known to add a link to a video titled ‘Barbie the Movie’ or ‘Barbie Movie Behind-the-Scenes’. The intent behind these titles is to persuade fans that they are receiving exclusive access to the Barbie movie. When fans click the link it comprises a fake download of the film that instead installs malware, viruses, and malicious ads. Victims have reported that the link directs them to a Barbie website, which looks legitimate. From there they are asked to add their personal information to gain access to this ‘exclusive’ content, which lands in the hands on the attackers.
“Cybercriminals are always on the lookout for opportunities to make phishing and other scams more attractive and believable,” said Steve Grobman, CTO of McAfee.
If you’re a Barbie fan you might be questioning, how can I stay safe? If you are sent a link from an email address or social media account which looks suspicious, don’t click on it. To tell apart a legitimate and fake website, look out for misspellings and grammatical errors. Never give your personal information to a website you don’t trust. Keep your antivirus software’s updated on your devices, if you haven’t already invest in a reliable system. Additionally, if you’re looking to buy tickets for the Barbie film, purchase them through a theatre chain or approved ticketing app.
