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Security News
Worm in alleged coupons of McDonald’s and Coca Cola
Thu, 04 December 2008
A new scam is trying to persuade Internet users to infect their computers. Virus writers are sending fake coupons by email for Coca Cola and McDonald’s. The anti-virus specialists at Avira warn against this worm which is included in these messages.
Tettnang, 4 December 2008 – The pre-Christmas period is a lucrative time for criminal Internet gangs. The Internet community is sending pictures, presentations, information on offers – and coupons. The virus writers are taking an active part and are packing their harmful software in coupons.
The coupons are included in the email attachment of fake email that appear to come from McDonald’s and Coca Cola. While the fake McDonald’s email promises a low cost menu the recipient should print out, the fake email of Coca Cola refers to a new online game. Instead of coupons or games the worm Worm/McMaggot.A appears when opening the ZIP file, which infects the system.
The worm installs another component downloaded from the Net which Avira recognizes as BDS/McMaggot.A. It is a backdoor to control the computer remotely and records keystrokes. After, the worm scans the computer for email addresses it uses them to send itself through its own email routine (SMTP engine).
The anti-virus solutions of Avira recognize the harmful program with the virus definition file VDF 7.01.00.184. The users of the anti-virus solution from Germany are already protected with the heuristic detection from the harmful program: Avira products have detected the file attachment generically as "TR/Dropper.Gen".
Internet users should not only update their operating system and the installed software but also have an update to date anti-virus solution to protect against harmful programs. Always be cautious of tempting offers: Things that appear too good to be true, are unreal as a rule. You should be very careful with email file attachments you get without request. Calling the sender can very often help to find out whether the email address is fake and if it has hidden dangers.
About Avira
Avira is a leading worldwide provider of self-developed protection solutions for professional and private use. The company belongs to the pioneers in this sector with over twenty years experience.
The protection experts have numerous company locations throughout Germany and cultivate partnerships in Europe, Asia and America. Avira has more than 180 employees at their main office in Tettnang near Lake Constance and is one of the largest employers in the region. There are around 250 people employed worldwide whose commitment is continually being confirmed by awards. A significant contribution to protection is the Avira AntiVir Personal which is being used by private users a million times over.
Well-known listed companies as well as educational organizations and public employers belong to the list of national and international customers. In addition to the protection of the virtual environment, Avira cares for more protection and safety in the real world by promotion of the Auerbach Foundation. The Auerbach Foundation of the founder of the company promotes common and social projects as well as the arts, culture and science.
Company contact:
Avira GmbH
Elisabeth Rothbart
Lochhamer Schlag 5a
D-82166 Gräfelfing/München
Telephone: +49 (0) 89 8583 639 17
Telefax: +49 (0) 89 8583 639 20
Email:
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