PC ADVISOR
FOR MOBILE

The magazine

Poll

Microsoft's Windows 7 Upgrade Option Programme starts today. Will you be::

View poll results

Have your say in the
PC Advisor forums!

News

News spotlights:

News by company:

News by product:

September 12, 2008

Hackers use internet suspension email to spread virus

Attachment claims to detail recipient's 'illegal online activity'

Carrie-Ann Skinner

Cyber criminals are tricking web users into thinking they will be disconnected from the web as a way to infect PCs with a malicious Trojan horse virus.

According to security firm Sophos, emails with the subject 'Your internet access is going to get suspended' are being received by net users across the globe. The email, which is supposed to have been sent by the 'ICS Monitoring Team' claims that the recipient has been conducting illegal activities online and is accompanied by a .zip attachment supposed to contain details of the alleged misdemeanours. In fact, the file contains a Trojan horse virus and if opened will infect the users PC.

"Recent piracy cases will worry web users, especially those who may be using unsecured Wi-Fi - they'll want to open the attachment to make sure that someone else hasn't been using their connection to download copyrighted movies or music. Unfortunately by then it's too late, and they could have handed access to their computer and files to the hackers," says Graham Cluley senior technology consultant at Sophos.

Visit Security Advisor for the latest internet threat news, FREE net threat email newsletters, and internet security product reviews

<<newer story | back to index | older story>>

Comments received

pc said on Saturday, 20 September 2008

birratage pc

Submit to: Digg Digg Slashdot delicious Del.icio.us reddit Reddit

What is this?

Subscribe to PC Advisor now and claim your FREE gift

Keep up to date by adding PC Advisor News to your iGoogle home page or Google Reader

Search reviews

Search news

Search blogs

Broadband?

Recent reviews

Reviews index

Latest reader comments

Top news

News index

Latest blog entries

Blogs index

Our RSS feeds

Latest technology news:

Sponsored links

Custom built PCs
Visit our website to see our full range of custom-built PCs. Customise any specification and have the order dispatched the next working day. A massive range of PCs - from £250 to £1,000-plus - and a full list of low-cost components are available.

Software solutions that deliver instant comprehensive protection
ESET develops software solutions that deliver instant, comprehensive protection against evolving computer security threats. We pioneered and continue to lead the industry in proactive threat detection. ESET NOD32® Antivirus, our flagship product, consistently achieves the highest accolades in all types of comparative testing and is the foundational product that builds out the ESET product line to include ESET Smart Security.

PC Tools
“PC Tools is a global leader in innovative software products designed to protect the privacy and security of Windows® computer users. With millions of downloads world wide, Spyware Doctor is a trusted, easy to use and highly effective detection, removal and blocking anti-spyware tool. “

	Buying a new Windows Vista PC & switching to Windows 7 asap
	Preordering a cut-price copy of Windows 7
	Sticking with my Windows XP PC
	Sticking with my Windows Vista PC
	Not using Windows at all

Expert Advice You Can Trust