Microsoft Outlook Phishing Attack Could Affect Your Online Business

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Mike Sachoff
Writer
2010-01-11
Email security firm, Red Condor has issued a warning for an aggressive spear phishing email campaign that asks recipients to “apply a new set of settings” to their mailboxes because of a recent “security upgrade” of their mailing service.
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| Phishing Campaign Targets Microsoft Outlook Users |
An embedded link in the email connects users to a website that appears to be a Microsoft Office Outlook Web Access page. On the page, users are directed to “download and launch a file with a new set of settings for your email account.” The file is actually a Zbot Trojan virus similar to Trojans distributed in recent H1N1 and Facebook phishing attacks.
“This spear phishing campaign is unusual in that it is highly personalized and is targeting a very large number of domains with a customized message for each domain,” said Dr. Tom Steding, president and CEO of Red Condor.
“Spear phishing campaigns usually target a single organization or domain, but his attack broke the mold as the volume and targets are very high. Once again, this is a perfect example of scammers modifying their tactics to thwart traditional security systems and demonstrates the importance of having an advanced, real-time email security solution.”
A spear phishing campaign is a highly targeted form of phishing that typically targets a single organization. Emails appear as if they come from a trusted source, such as an employer who would normally send an email to the entire company or a well-known organization.
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