Spam Campaign Exploiting Zika Virus Scare Active in Brazil

Cyber-criminals are running one sinister spam campaign in attempts to gain fruitfully by exploiting people's anxiety ever-since the infamous Zika virus hit Brazilians inside their country.

Spammers are utilizing Zika within one new spam campaign which attacks Brazil's e-mail users via asserting that they can tell the treatment for Zika however instead thrust malicious software into their PCs.

Symantec Security's researchers who unearthed the spam mail state that the junk e-mail asserts as being sent from Saúde Curiosa (meaning Curious Health) name of one wellness and health online site within Brazil.

The caption of the e-mail, "ZIKA VIRUS! ISSO MESMO, MATANDO COM ÁGUA!" (meaning, "Zika Virus! That's Right, killing it with water!"), is normally utilized for enticing receivers into viewing the electronic mail. And whilst there are text and images inside the e-mail copied from one actual article, the e-mail as well contains efforts for convincing the receiver towards clicking one web-link which mechanically pulls down one malevolent attachment. Inside the text is given "Instructions to Follow! Download" and "Eliminating Mosquito! Click Here!"

Naturally, the spam mails are taking advantage of everybody's concern about Zika, suggesting ways for fighting it as well as offering details regarding the way to remain safe. Softpedia.com posted this, February 22, 2016.

However, total information claimed as provided isn't readily available; consequently, recipients get prompted towards taking down certain attachment from which they can supposedly know more. This attachment contains a .jse file that if executed automatically links up with one CnC server to receive commands.

Senior Security Response Manager Satnam Narang from Symantec states that events worthy of news, at the global/regional levels, frequently create opportunities for cyber-crooks looking towards benefiting from general enthusiasm within these events. Within the current instance, Zika's effect within nations like Brazil is getting exploited, whilst its probable effect within other nations makes the threat one key point for further e-mail junk, he adds.

And even as the Zika spam campaign is ongoing chiefly within Brazil, expectedly it can proliferate to more nations with the virus itself spreading. Therefore, end-users require visiting healthcare organizations' authorized websites while avoid viewing unsolicited e-mails related to the threat.

» SPAMfighter News - 2/29/2016