Hackers Exploiting Google Through Google Reader Links

Have you ever click on a news reader link that took you to a video but later found to be malware or a malicious web site? Reports have come in of some video links that could lead to malware by clicking a Google reader article link. From this link a computer user may be prompted with a video where if it is clicked to play takes you to a player on a non-Google page which is designed to spread malware. The whole process makes it look like Google is the culprit but it is not.

The attackers that set up this devious process have taken it upon themselves to create Google Reader accounts where they place links on the reader that take computer users to malicious web sites that spread malware. The malware was found to be a Trojan Downloader that includes Browser Helper Objects. This type of infection behaves like typical rogue anti-spyware programs where it prompts you with a fake notification that says you are infected with a virus or spyware.

What is done to resolve issues like this?

Once an exploit or malware infection has been discovered by a big company like Google you can be assured that it will be investigated further and possible resolved in a timely manner. A representative from Google reiterated this from the following statement: "Google works actively to detect and remove accounts that serve or link to malware. We're investigating reports we've received on this issue and are committed to shutting down any accounts that violate our guidelines."

Has this scenario ever happened to you? Does this sound familiar to other attacks that you have witness or read about over the internet?