Anyone receiving an email with the subject heading “remembering Michael Jackson” sent from a sarah@michaeljackson.com should not open the attachment warns computer security company Sophos in a statement from their office in Singapore.
The email claims to have secret songs and photos of Michael Jackson but instead contains a malicious virus.
“By opening the attachment, computer users are exposed to infection. Once infected, a computer will begin automatically spreading the worm onto other Internet users,” Sophos said.
“Besides spreading via email, Sophos experts note that the Malware is also capable of spreading as an Autorun component on USB memory sticks.”
Senior technology consultant at Sophos, Graham Cluley, is concerned that as a result of the current wave of interest in the pop music icon Michael Jackson who died suddenly on 25th June from a heart attack, those who are not aware of the risks may be tempted to open the attachment. Not a good idea.
“But sensible computer users should by now be well aware that cyber criminals will be quick to exploit news events to spread Malware and spam,” he said.
“Anyone who receives this email should delete it immediately to save themselves the embarrassment of infecting their email contacts.”
Similarly, Gary Warner, UAB’s Director of Research in Computer Forensics warns about cyber criminals exploiting public interest in news stories to help propagate viruses.
UAB have been tracking a spam mail with an associated virus for many weeks but when Michael Jackson died they “shifted their strategy by embedding their virus into an email that claims to link you to a Web site that will reveal Michael Jackson’s killer”.
“The spam related to this virus has taken many forms, including e-cards, shipment tracking links and, most recently, a fake update to Microsoft Outlook, but with the high interest in Michael Jackson’s death the cyber criminals decided to change their delivery method to capitalize on that,” said Warner.
The email states “Michael Jackson was killed…but who killed Michael Jackson” and if you navigate your way to the linked page on the message your computer will immediately be infected and the Malware is able to steal sensitive information like your bank details and passwords.
Not only that though, when performing searches on your computer, the virus will bring up links that will redirect you to other infected sites. Scary stuff!
As always, it pays to be informed.
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Normally when we see any topic of our interests we try to seek into that!that is the concept used by those cyber criminals therefore they have chosen such a hot topic for spreading their bug!damn i will keep myself away from it!Thanks for warning about it!