Malicious spam email about radiation contamination of Australia - SSO-AL2008-012

12 September 2008

Software and platform affected

The following operating system platform:

Windows (any version)

What is the problem?

A spam email is circulating, targeting Australians, which is designed to infect your computer with a program that could steal your passwords and other personal information (identity theft).

The subject line of this email is: 

"Reply: A report on radiation contamination of Australia"

The radiation spam email claims that there was an explosion of a nuclear power station in Sydney.

The emails all contain a zip file attachment which should not be opened.

What we recommend you do

If you receive an email similar to the above, do not open the attachment in the email. Delete the email straight away.

If you have already clicked on the attachment, it is quite possible your computer may now be infected.  It is recommended you seek professional assistance in helping detect and remove the malware.

Make sure you have anti-virus software installed and keep it updated.

Where you can find more information

The following link provides more information about the type of malicious software in this spam email, although this is a different version of the virus:

www.f-secure.com/v-descs/trojan-spy_w32_zbot_hs.shtml

Disclaimer

This Advisory 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 Advisory 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.

The Commonwealth, AusCERT, and all other persons associated with this Advisory accept no responsibility or liability for information either included or referred to in the Advisory. No responsibility or liability is accepted for any damage, loss or expense incurred as a result of the information contained in the Advisory, whether by way of negligence or otherwise.

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Please note that material in this Advisory, as the case may be, includes views or recommendations of third parties, which do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commonwealth, or indicate its commitment to particular course of action. Material on this site or in this Advisory may also include information provided by third parties. The Commonwealth cannot verify the accuracy of information that has been provided by third parties.

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