Ebola Emerging as a Grave Computer Threat - Symantec

Security experts of security firm Symantec claim that Ebola is a diverse type of virus which is contaminating computers and networks instead of human bodies and it has emerged as a serious threat.

Especially, Ebola is a deadly uncommon virus which causes bleeding inside and outside the human body and its epidemic outbreak in West Africa has hit every news channel all over the world.

Security firm Symantec has warned everyone saying that phishing attacks and malware purporting to be Ebola alerts are surging.

According to Symantec, online attackers are exploiting the name of UAE's (United Arab Emirates) well-known telecom giant Etisalat with footprints in 18 countries across Asia, Africa and Middle East to enter the computers of innocent users.

Symantec alerted that first attackers send a fake email with a phony report about Ebola virus to lure users but user's systems actually get infected with Trojan.Zbot malware.

The security firm said that in the second operation, cyber crooks send an email which impersonates Etisalat. The email asserts to hold a high-profile presentation about Ebola virus with ZIP file attached to it and entitled as: "EBOLA - ETISALAT PRESENTATION.pdf.zip" but in reality it executes Trojan.Blueso on the computer of the victim.

This malware infects Web browser of the user with W32.Spyrat.

Spyrat does as per its name: it logs keystrokes, grabs screenshots, records from webcam, enumerates, opens web pages, uploads and deletes folders and files, gathers details of applications, OS and the computer.

It is unfortunate that phishers always look for an opportunity whenever something happens in the world such as the recent Malaysian Airlines tragedies which shook the entire world, Luis Suarez' famous World Cup champ (2014) biting incident, the unfortunate death of well-known Hollywood stalwart Robin Williams and others like Amy Winehouse, Paul Walker and now....the Ebola hemorrhagic virus.

Symantec advised users with some time-tested steps to remain safe and secured: "It advises all Internauts to be careful of unforeseen, unwanted or suspicious emails. If you are doubtful about legitimacy of the mail then don't revert to it and don't click on links it contains and open attachments in the message."

» SPAMfighter News - 9/2/2014