Michael Jackson suicide spam links to malware
Security experts at UK firm Sophos are warning of a spam email that claims to have news of a suicide attempt by pop star Michael Jackson.
They say that the email directs recipients to a website for more information. If a victim visits the site, they are told that the site is busy. But in the background, the website triggers a download that places code for a Trojan horse on the PC.
The malicious code allows the infected PC to be used as a proxy through which spam mail can be sent by a
remote user. It also connects to IRC channels through which it can receive commands or further malicious code can be installed.
‘The sick minds behind viruses and other malware often exploit celebrity names and news stories in an attempt to infect as many people as possible,’ said Carole Theriault, security consultant for Sophos. ‘All computer users should be very careful about clicking on weblinks in unsolicited email or launching unknown attachments.’