Security News > 2021 > July > "Black Widow" digital premier a cover for malware and scams, says Kaspersky
On the eve of its actual release, the scams have begun anew.
Superhero film "Black Widow" is finally getting its official release on July 9, and Kaspersky is warning that scammers are using the highly anticipated movie as a way to make off with watcher's credit card information and commit other cybercrimes.
Marvel superhero films are arguably some of the hottest movies in the world, and none is currently hotter than "Black Widow," which has had its release pushed repeatedly back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Originally slated for release on May 1, 2020, then Nov. 6, 2020, and then May 7, 2021, before finally getting its final release date of July 9.
With the coronavirus pandemic still ongoing, Disney is premiering "Black Widow" in theaters and online, which Kaspersky said has been used repeatedly throughout the film's delayed release cycle by cybercriminals to take advantage of those hoping to get an early or less-than-legal look.
Kaspersky noted spikes in phishing attempts and malicious downloads for the film that coincided with the historic release schedule of "Black Widow." Spikes in June and July 2020 and March and April 2021 accompanied supposed release dates, and June 2021 turned into another spike that continues to trend into July.