Skip to main content

St. Valentines Day E-Card Virus

I received the following information regarding an e-card virus that may be circulating.

If you unexpectedly receive a Valentine’s Day e-card, be careful. It may not be from a secret admirer, relative or friend, but instead may contain the Storm Worm virus.

With the holiday approaching, be on the lookout for spam e-mails spreading the Storm Worm malicious software (malware). The e-mail directs the recipient to click on a link to retrieve an electronic greeting card (e-card). Once the user clicks on a link, malware is downloaded to the user’s Internet-connected device and causes it to become infected, and part of the Storm Worm “botnet.” A botnet is a network of compromised machines under the control of a single user. Botnets are typically set up to facilitate criminal activity such as spam e-mail, identity theft, denial of service attacks, and spreading malware to other machines on the Internet.

The Storm Worm virus has capitalized on various holidays in the past year by sending millions of e-mails advertising an e-card link within the text of the spam e-mail. Valentine’s Day has been identified as the next target.

Be wary of any e-mail received from an unknown sender. Do not open any unsolicited e-mail and do not click on any links provided.

For more information on e-scams, you can visit the FBI’s website at http://www.fbi.gov/ and click on the “New E-Scams and Warnings” link listed first under the “Be Crime Smart” heading.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Boston Marathon/West, Texas Spam Campaigns

There is a new spam campaign in circulation using the Boston Marathon bombings that occurred on April 15, 2013 as a lure. Users are sent an e-mail encouraging them to a watch a video of the explosion. When the user clicks on the enclosed link to watch the video malware is installed on the user’s computer.   The following URL patterns have been found in these e-mails: http://[IP-address]/boston.html   http://[IP-address]/news.html   When the user clicks on one of the links the Kehlios worm is installed on the user’s system which has the capacity to send spam; carry out Distributed Denial of Service Attacks; and steal online currency such as bitcoins. Most major anti-virus vendors have signatures for detecting this malware so users should keep their antivirus programs up-to-date.   In addition to the Boston Marathon spam campaign, a West, Texas plant explosion spam campaign has also sprung up. This spam campaign uses similar exploitation techniques as the Boston Marathon spam campaign p

The Risks of Connecting Devices to Public Charging Stations

The following information  comes courtesy  of the  New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell Public cell phone charging stations supplied with power cables or USB ports located in stores, airports, libraries, and schools may seem like a convenient way to charge your mobile devices on-the-go, but can you be sure that your device and data will be safe if you connect? These kiosks can contain concealed computers that attempt to extract data such as contact information, photos, and videos from connected devices, unbeknownst to the users. Additionally, malicious or compromised charging stations can expose devices to the risk of a malware infection. Even if the charging station isn’t malicious, the manufacturer or owner of the kiosk may require users to input their email addresses or phone numbers in order to charge their devices, potentially exposing them to unwanted marketing campaigns, spam emails, and scam calls. The NJCCIC recommends ensuring your d

H1N1 Influenza Information

With the outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus now affecting residents across the United States, and the possibility that some Maryland residents may have been infected with the disease, the Mayor & Council along with the MRPD deemed it wise to let Mount Rainier residents know of precautions that individuals should take in order to minimize the possibility of being infected by this virus. The most important precaution recommended by health officials is for individuals and families to take common sense, everyday actions to stay healthy. The Centers for Disease Control recommends the following precautions: · Stay informed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website will be updated regularly as information becomes available. http://www.cdc.gov/ · Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing by infected people. · Take everyday actions to stay healthy. · Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the