That was in the past few months. See World's biggest botnet sends 12.5 MILLION emails containing ransomware that could destroy your computer: Here's how to spot one. They were sending out Scarab, the malware that would lock up user date and demand a ransom. If you haven't received one, or if you did and avoided it, then good for you.
It seems easy enough to avoid any damage -- simply don't download any attachment that is in an archive file format. Zip is the one I see most, so I assume that's the most common. However, the above linked article says the Scarab malware was hidden in one called 7zip.
The title said they would tell how to spot one, so here's that part:
HOW TO SPOT ONE
The biggest giveaway of a malware email is that they are sent without being asked for, so it is always best practice to never open an unsolicited attachment.
The subject line of emails in the Scarab attack suggests the image scans they contain were created using printers from a number of reputable firms.
This includes Lexmark, HP, Canon and Epson, giving the scam messages an appearance of legitimacy at first glance.
However, there may be spelling mistakes or other grammatical errors that give the game away.
This might be in the subject line, email address or body text of the message.
Archive files, like the 7zip format used in the attack, are also another warning sign of potentially dangerous content.
These types of file can be used to try and bypass detection by anti-virus scans.
Bottom line: Don't download any archive file attachments. And don't send any, either, if you expect your recipients to open it.
------
1:17 PM 12/27/2017
Comments