Spam Mail Threatens to Disconnect Users From ISP

Cyber criminals have started a new trick on Web users that make the latter think that their Web connection would be snapped, as a way to infect their computers with a Trojan virus, says Sophos, internet security provider.

Moreover, the company has intercepted sample e-mails that used the headline, "Your Internet access is going to get suspended", and the net users all over the world are receiving them, says the security firm.

Also, the e-mail apparently coming from the ICS Monitoring Team falsely informs the recipient that he has been conducting illegal activities on the Internet. It also contains a .zip file attachment which supposedly give details about the alleged misconduct. But the attachment contains a Trojan that infects the person's computer if opened. Further, in the new spam campaign, the spam-mailers have been deploying two malevolent attachments detected as Troj/Agent-HQK and Troj/Meredrop-A, according to Sophos.

Thus, unsuspecting users relying on their Web connection appear to be concerned about the latest online plundering incidences that put them on risk of infection from a Trojan horse, giving malicious hackers unauthorized access to their computers.

Meanwhile, according to Graham Cluley, Senior Technology Consultant, Sophos, following a recent poll that has found almost half of Britain's Web users as prey of Internet addiction, it wouldn't be long when spammers launch social engineering techniques to exploit the situation, as reported by itnews on September 15, 2008.

Besides, Cluley says that the recent piracy incidences would worry Internet users, particularly those who are using unsecured Wi-Fi connections. They would think of viewing the attachment to ensure that no third person was using their net connection and accessing copyrighted music or videos. However, by that time, it might be too late, leading users to lose their PC's and files' control to hackers.

Meanwhile, growing flexibility in working habits, new and complicated operational threat techniques, and an increased number of fresh scams have been constantly burdening businesses. Sophos recommends that all people using computers ensure that they have up-to-date anti-viruses and an aggregated solution at the gateway of their e-mail to protect them from spam and viruses.

Related article: Spam Scam Bags a Scottish Connection

» SPAMfighter News - 9/22/2008