July 20, 2009 10:43 AM

Hackers Use Naked Video of ESPN Star Erin Andrews to Attack Your PC

By
Neil Katz
Topics
Cybercrime
(AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
ESPN reporter Erin Andrews at the ESPY Award show July 15, 2009.

NEW YORK (CBS) Hackers are using an illegally-taped peephole video that has naked shots of glamorous ESPN sports reporter Erin Andrews as a lure to get click-happy web surfers to download dangerous malware to their computers, according to a computer security website.

Andrews has become a popular fixture on ESPN and the web as a vivacious and beautiful reporter. So much so, that someone used a peephole camera to record video of Andrews as she disrobed.

Photos: Erin Andrews Naked Peephole Video Scandal

Naturally, the video went viral online and ESPN lawyers have been scrambling to shut down websites that post links to the material.

That means it's getting increasingly hard to find on the web, but that hasn't stopped the growing demand for it.

And it's that drive that hackers are plugging into, according to sophos.com, a website that sells security software, but also provides security news.

One version of the hack, fools surfers into clicking on what appears to be a CNN version of the video, according to Sophos. When users hit the play button they are presented with a pop up window warning them that their popup blocker has blocked the video player window and they must launch another player. Doing so doesn't play the video, but it does install a Trojan horse with which hackers can later attack the computer, says the site.

(AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)
Photo: ESPN reporter Erin Andrews, left, and Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, Jan. 27, 2007.

Both Apple and Windows computers are vulnerable, according to Sophos. It is not yet clear what effect the virus will have on computers or how widely it will spread.





Add a Comment
by Ferrell-2 July 22, 2009 5:31 PM EDT
The lovely and talented Erin Andrews doesn't need this kind of publicity to enhance her already immense popularity. I'm sure it wasn't staged and sooner or later someone (or some group) will pay a price for this. She reportedly has said she wants the culprits nabbed and couldn't care less about any monetary damage claims. I hope she succeeds.
Reply to this comment
by legacyabq July 21, 2009 1:50 PM EDT
wow she sure is beautiful, gotta admit that

She kinda looks like my wife, except thinner

LOL

:-()
Reply to this comment
by sly_64 July 21, 2009 12:35 PM EDT
I have never downloaded I virus that I couldn't get rid of. I purposly test virus protection software, and all viruses are easily eradicated.
Reply to this comment
by John_Merritt July 21, 2009 8:15 AM EDT
The only thing I can say about that is if I am going to be hacked, 'girl, have your way'. I hope she cleans their clocks, and than wins her case as well.
Reply to this comment
by tmittelstaed July 21, 2009 3:47 AM EDT
Talk about media manipulation. Porn "come on's" are regularly used as false trails to viruses, have been for years. Now suddenly this is front page news - oh yeah, I forgot, a REPORTER is involved. So the news media is closing ranks hoping to decrease the number of people who download and watch the video, and so they release this "story.
Reply to this comment
by sabre1111 July 21, 2009 7:12 AM EDT
So, what, because she was "just" a reporter, its OK with you that she was violated? What a despicable thing to say.
by culturechang July 20, 2009 10:42 PM EDT
Does she enter and film in the men's locker room where the players are undressed and showering? Just asking.
Reply to this comment
by culturechang July 20, 2009 10:36 PM EDT
What do you bet that they go after the peephole video tapers instead of the hackers. Follow the sex....that is where the media will be.
Reply to this comment
by cs4466 July 20, 2009 9:31 PM EDT
Wow look the ESPN perverts ran right out and downloaded it. LOL typical.
Reply to this comment
by jeffmart00001 July 20, 2009 2:19 PM EDT
The video is so obviously staged. Like all women do their hair and makeup butt naked on the corner on a bed away from a mirror--but in clear view of a 'peephole'. This is either a publicity grab by Andrews, a voyeuristic fantasy video shot by an ex boyfriend or some combination thereof. At one point she even flexes her butt in the direction of the camera. When all the facts are known don't be surprised if the 'perverted loser' turns out to be Erin Andrews or someone close to her. Not that she won't throw him under the bus to prolong her 15 minutes of fame..
Reply to this comment
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