J
uly
4 weekend is usually a time for barbecues, beach parties and Independence Day
spam. But the death of pop superstar Michael Jackson may have changed the face
of the annual spam barrage.
Instead
of just the typical deluge of e-mails luring users with tales of fireworks
displays, spammers and malware authors are still riding high on interest in
Jackson’s
death. Over at Sophos, researchers are reporting that an e-mail with the
subject line “Rememebring Michael Jackson” was circulating with a worm in tow.
The e-mail has a zip file attached that infects victims if downloaded.
“The
e-mail, which claims to come from sarah@michaeljackson.com, says that the
attached ZIP file contains secret songs and photos of Michael Jackson,” blogged
Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos. “However, the reality is
that opening the attachment exposes you to infection - and if your computer is
hit you will be spreading the worm onto other internet users. Besides spreading
via e-mail, the malware is also capable of spreading as an Autorun component on
USB
memory sticks (an increasingly common trend for malware as use of these devices
has become more and more popular).”
Sophos
detects the malware as Mal/ZipMal-B and Mal/VB-AD, and recommends users keep
their anti-virus products up-to-date.
Several other malicious spam campaigns centered on Jackson's death have been launched lately as well.
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News 8 months ago
