Hackers use all kinds of deceptive methods to find new ways of penetrating into targeted computers. From fake applications that pretend to be reliable security tools, to compromised web pages – cyber criminals would use all kinds of techniques to deceive you into believing in the legitimacy of their creations. Now, their latest way of entering into systems involves malicious emails which contain infected attachments. This is the case with one of the latest deceitful emails sent by hackers to spread computer viruses. Cyber criminals are reported to send emails which seem to be reliable messages generated by one of the biggest logistics services company – FedEx. However, these emails come bundled with malicious computer infections which want to gain access to your PC.
FedEx is a reliable company known by millions of people all over the world. As you can guess, if a person receives a message from this sender, the recipient will immediately think that this is a trustworthy email sent by the well-known company to let him know about, for example, the latest news about the company or some other important information. This is exactly on what cyber criminals rely. They have created a malicious email message which pretends to be sent by FedEx and seems to contain some interesting and intriguing information that will attract the attention of unaware PC users. The email informs its recipients about some packages they may have sent. The users are informed that the addresses of the recipients are incorrect and due to this reason the parcels could not be delivered.
This is how the email looks like:
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2008 1:30 PM CET
Subject: FedEx Tracking N_2545362053
Unfortunately, we were not able to deliver postal package you sent on August the 1st in time because the recipient’s address is not correct. Please print out the invoice copy attached and collect the package at our office Your FEDEX
Attachment: WD6128922.zip
The recipients of the emails are asked to download and print some invoices which are attached. The PC user is told that only in this way he will be able to claim the undelivered packages at the office of the company. The attachment which comes together with the email and waits for the user to download it, is, in fact, a hidden computer infection. The recipient cannot see that this is an executable file which will be installed on the targeted PC. Instead, the attachment seems to be a trustworthy and harmless Word document. The one and only aim of the email is to trick unsuspecting PC users into clicking on the malicious file.
Once the attachment is opened, the malicious infection is transferred to the targeted PC. Now it is able to root itself deep in the system and start its fraudulent plan. This computer virus puts the whole system in great danger, as well as the information stored on the machine. Furthermore, the presence of such an infection on a PC is a prerequisite for the attacks of other malicious files created by hackers. As you can see, if you become a victim of this tricky infection, this may lead to serious consequences.
To warn its users, FedEx has posted a warning on its web page, so that people are notified about the malicious messages. In this way if a person is emailed and receives the infected attachment, he will know that this message has to be deleted. The warning on the page contains the following virus warning:
“Be alert for fraudulent e-mails claiming to be from FedEx regarding a package that could not be delivered. These e-mails ask the receiver to open an attachment in order to obtain the airbill or invoice for picking up the package. The attachment contained in this type of e-mail activates a virus. DO NOT OPEN the attachment. Instead, delete the e-mail immediately.
These fraudulent e-mails are the unauthorized actions of third parties not associated with FedEx. When FedEx sends e-mails with tracking updates for undeliverable packages, we do not include attachments.
FedEx does not request, via unsolicited mail or e-mail, payment or personal information in return for goods in transit or in FedEx custody. If you have received a fraudulent e-mail that claims to be from FedEx, you can report it by forwarding it to abuse@fedex.com.
If you have any questions or concerns about services provided by FedEx, please review our services or contact FedEx Customer Service.”
Do not be tricked by such unreliable emails and know that they are a common trick used by cyber criminals to spread their malicious creations. If you happen to receive such an email, delete it as soon as possible and do not download any attachments it has.
*SpyHunter’s free scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware suite to remove the malware threats.