Security Experts Warn Innocent Netizens about Fake Traffic-themed Emails

Softpedia.com reported on 2nd April, 2014 stating a warning by security experts as "Cybercriminals are sending fake emails entitled "Traffic accident with your car" attempting to trick unsuspecting recipients."

The fake email wishes the recipient the 'Good morning!' and tells him that he (recipient) hurt his (sender) car on the road.

It (email) instructs the recipient to look at the photographs in the attached files and contact the sender immediately. Otherwise he will have to face legal action.

But, the email is not from the person who claimed that his car got damaged in a traffic accident. The security experts warn that the attached file does not contain any photographs of accident but it contains a file that, if opened, can result in the installation of malware on the victim's computer.

The message tries to panic people so that they open the attachment without any caution. However, some recipients, even knowing that they are not involved in any accident, may open the attached .ZIP file and then click the enclosed .SCR file executable hoping to see the supposed photos of the accident.

If the file runs then it can install software which can record keystrokes on the compromised computer and perform other malicious actions. Also criminals can collect sensitive personal information from the infected computer.

The experts observe that criminals implement several tactics to trick people to open an attached file or to click a link.

Experts advise not to open any attachments or click any links which come with one of such emails containing reports of traffic accident. Simply delete such unsolicited emails, they add.

Moreover, this is not the first time in the last few days that security experts have reported campaigns of traffic-themed malware email. National fraud reporting center of UK, Action Fraud, intercepted fake email around 10th March, 2014 asking victims to pay a fictitious parking fine within a limited period of their receipt of the fake email. The email further claimed that they had photographic proof against the law- breaker to support their claim. In reality, the emails were maligned with malware as per Action Fraud.

» SPAMfighter News - 4/10/2014