Potentially malicious spam emails and e-cards - SSO-AD2010-003

08 February 2010

Software and platform/s affected

Not applicable.

What is the problem?

This is a reminder that during the period around Valentine's Day criminals often send malicious spam emails and fake e-cards (with a Valentine's Day theme) which are designed to infect your computer with a malicious program (eg, virus or other malware) that could steal your passwords and other personal information (identity theft).

While we have no information that indicates Australian Internet users have been targeted at this time, malicious Valentine's Day spam emails have been previously observed in other parts of the world. These emails typically contain a link to a website, and instruct the user to click on an image or text link. If users click on any of these links, they are then prompted to download a malicious program.

What we recommend you do

• Only click on links in emails and e-cards from people you know and trust
• Regard as suspicious and delete any e-cards which don't specify a person's name known personally to you, such as "from a friend"
• Delete and do not open any attachments to emails if you are not expecting them
• Use an up-to-date anti-virus product.

Where you can find more information

http://www.avertlabs.com/research/blog/index.php/2009/02/09/new-valentine-scam-on-the-loose/

http://www.avertlabs.com/research/blog/index.php/2009/02/05/love-is-in-the-air/

Disclaimer

This Alert has been prepared by AusCERT for the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

The information is intended for used by home users and small to medium sized businesses and is general information only and not intended as advice and was accurate and up to date at the time of publishing. The material and information in this Alert is not adapted to any particular person's circumstances and therefore cannot be relied upon to be of assistance in any particular case. In any important matter, you should seek professional advice relevant to your own circumstances.

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