Viruses/Worms News

Spammers use phony package tracking to launch attacks

Monday, March 30, 2009

The latest spamming scam deployed by cybercriminals involves emails that claim to be from package carrier DHL.

The spam email claims that DHL attempted to deliver a package on March 14 and tells spam recipients to click a link for an invoice to retrieve the package. Once recipients click on the link, trojan malware is downloaded onto their PCs.

Email security experts said the attack is similar to one earlier in March that claimed to be from package carrier UPS.

The spam email carries the subject line "DHL Tracking number" and a randomly generated phony tracking number. The link contains a file that allows the cybercriminals to send phony security alerts in Internet Explorer telling users to purchase rogueware to protect their computers.

To protect against this type of spam attack, security experts said users should keep anti-virus software updated, have a secure firewall and update software with security patches.

Also, users should be cautious when receiving unsolicited emails. Organizations and SMBs can protect themselves from spam through email filtering as well as incorporating phishing protection into their network security.