Spam News

Another day, another McDonald's warning

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Malware is apparently one of the new menu items at McDonald's this holiday season.

For the second time in as many days, another security warning has been released about cybercriminals using the guise of McDonald's to infect computers.

Websense Security Labs reported yesterday of a holiday email touting a special coupon from either McDonald's or Coca-Cola. Both messages include a zip attachment with either coupon.exe or promotion.exe, trojan droppers with a current low antivirus detection.

The text in the McDonald's email claims the coupon must be printed for their latest discount menu. Coca-Cola's email said they have a new online game where users can win free drinks for life.

Recently, a new phishing scam was discovered targeting McDonald's customers with an eight-question satisfaction survey that promises to add $75 to a user's bank account, SCMagazines.com reports. The scam also attempts to acquire email addresses and credit card numbers.

Some have suggested the announcement of the U.S. being in a recession is helping these types of spam emails by feeding on the public's tendency to look for ways to save money during an economic downturn.