Hackers spam fake Microsoft security update
By Asavin Wattanajantra,
Hackers are taking advantage of Patch Tuesday with a malicious Trojan email disguised as a Microsoft security update.
The email claims to come from Steve Lipnser at the address securityassurance@microsoft.com with the subject line “Security Update for OS Microsoft Windows.” It asks you to run the file attached with the message and appears to coincide with Microsoft’s genuine monthly patch cycle.
Microsoft never sends out security updates as email attachments, but the email tries to explain this by claiming it is “an experimental private version.”
Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, said that running the attached file would infect Windows computer users with the Mal/EncPK-CZ Trojan horse and give hackers control of the PC.
He advised users: “They should always visit the genuine Microsoft website or use automatic updating processes to keep their systems current.”
The fake update comes after Microsoft gave advanced notice of its monthly patch cycle for the first time.
A picture of the fake update is here.
advertisement
Latest Security Features
Who should be Britain’s cyber security czar?
Experts reveal what a UK head of cyber security would need to do, while we put forward possible candidates for the role.
- The reality of movie technology
- Do smartphones need security software?
- Protecting the London 2012 Olympic Games
- Focus on... Flexible working
- Cyber policing and surveillance in Britain today
- How an FBI agent transformed Microsoft security
- Can security concerns kill cloud computing?
- GhostNet: Did the Chinese government hack the world?
- How poor web security nearly lead to a jail term
Latest Security Reviews
HP BladeSystem c3000 review: blade server
Rating: 
- CA ARCserve Backup r12.5 review
- FaceTime Communications USG530 - web filtering appliance review
- Guardium 7 – database security review
- Google Apps Premier Edition
- SmoothWall UTM-1000 review
- Lenovo ThinkPad USB Portable Secure Hard Drive
- LogRhythm LR-500-XM review
- EXCLUSIVE - eSoft ThreatWall 250
- Zebra RZ400 - RFID Printer
advertisement
Latest News Videos in Security
Video: Mobile security threats and Mac complacency
PlayPart two: Eugene Kaspersky, chief executive and founder of Kaspersky Lab, talks about the increasing security threats mobile users are facing.
Whitepapers
Want more background on today's hottest IT trends?
Visit IT PRO's whitepaper library for more on virtualisation, encryption and other topics.
Register for IT PRO
You'll get exclusive member benefits including free whitepapers, downloads, Webinars and weekly newsletters full of the latest IT PRO news, reviews, insight and expertise.
Social Bookmark this article: What is this?