New Zbot Variant Targets Instagram

A new Zbot variant is creating users and likes on Instagram, and it turns out that likes might just be more valuable than credit cards. Instagram is responding to the news that a botnet is targeting them by saying that they will soon be more like facebook for account creation security.

From Reuters here:

In the world of cyber fraud, a fake fan on Instagram can be worth five times more than a stolen credit card number.

As social media has become increasingly influential in shaping reputations, hackers have used their computer skills to create and sell false endorsements – such as “likes” and “followers” – that purport to come from users of Facebook, its photo-sharing app Instagram, Twitter, Google’s YouTube, LinkedIn and other popular websites.

In the latest twist, a computer virus widely used to steal credit card data, known as Zeus, has been modified to create bogus Instagram “likes” that can be used to generate buzz for a company or individual, according to cyber experts at RSA, the security division of EMC Corp.

These fake “likes” are sold in batches of 1,000 on Internet hacker forums, where cyber criminals also flog credit card numbers and other information stolen from PCs. According to RSA, 1,000 Instagram “followers” can be bought for $15 and 1,000 Instagram “likes” go for $30, whereas 1,000 credit card numbers cost as little as $6.

Facebook, which has nearly 1.2 billion users, said it is in the process of beefing up security on Instagram, which it bought last year for $1 billion. Instagram, which has about 130 million active users, will have the same security measures that Facebook uses, said spokesman Michael Kirkland.

Yeah, so if you buy fake followers, first WTF is wrong with you, and second, you are aiding botnet skiddies who compromise home PCs and steal peoples’ identities. But at least you got your photo of your bacon and coffee liked. Hope it was worth it you vapid self-absorbed piece of excrement.