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Fake Microsoft update is a Trojan horse
yahoo.com ^ | April 08, 2005 | Paul Roberts, IDG News Service

Posted on 04/09/2005 11:37:52 AM PDT by crushelits

Fake Microsoft Security Trojan on the Loose, Antivirus Firm Says
A new campaign by malicious hackers uses a Web site designed to look like Microsoft's Windows Update page to trick unwitting Internet users into infecting their computers with a Trojan horse remote access program, according to antivirus experts at Sophos.

The scam uses e-mail messages that appear to come from Microsoft to get recipients to visit a Web page that uploads the malicious program. Using the promise of Windows software patches to distribute malicious code isn't new. However, the latest attacks show that scammers are adopting strategies used by phishers to evade detection by gateway and desktop antivirus programs, says Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.

The attack was first detected on Thursday in Sophos's Vancouver, Canada, lab after it was distributed in a spam campaign. The messages have subject lines like "Update your windows machine" or "Urgent Windows Update," Cluley says.

What Happens

A link in the body of the e-mail message appears to take users to the Microsoft Windows Update Web site, but would actually forward them to a Web site operated by the attackers and install a Trojan horse program called DSNX-05, according to Sophos.

The Web site run by the hackers was registered to an Internet service provider in Toronto, but it has since been shut down. The site looked very much like the actual Microsoft Windows Update page and displayed Microsoft's corporate logo. One clue that something was amiss: The URL displayed in the Web browser address bar showed only the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the site, instead of the Windows Update address, Cluley says. Sophos does not know how many Internet users may have fallen for the ruse, he adds.

The method of attack is similar to the phishing identity theft attacks that have become common in the last year. As with many phishing attacks, gateway antivirus software does not detect the scam, because there is no malicious code in the e-mail. Desktop antivirus software with spam detection could spot the e-mail, but only if an antispam definition for the attack had been created and the user had updated the antispam definitions for their product, according to Cluley.

Real Update Coming April 12

Those behind the attack may have been trying to capitalize on anticipation of Microsoft's upcoming software security patch release next Tuesday, Cluley suggests. On Thursday, the Redmond, Washington, company said it intends to put out a number of security patches for its software.

"It's such a shame that, just as we're beginning to teach people more about security updates, cybercriminals are exploiting that," Cluley laments.

Sophos points out that Microsoft does not issue security warnings in the manner used by this attack. E-mail users should be on guard when receiving an unsolicited e-mail that contains an attachment or asks the reader to click a link to a Web page, Cluley says.

Although the Web page used in the latest attack has been disabled, those behind the scam could post the content in a new location and restart the attack, he warns, adding, "It's hard being an average Internet user. You just can't trust anyone."


TOPICS: Front Page News
KEYWORDS: fake; horse; microsoft; trojan; update

1 posted on 04/09/2005 11:37:54 AM PDT by crushelits
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To: crushelits

I am starting to favor the death penalty for these creeps.


2 posted on 04/09/2005 11:40:23 AM PDT by sphinx
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To: crushelits
And this is different from authentic updates how, exactly? ;)

Here are a couple alternatives: Linux, Apple

3 posted on 04/09/2005 11:40:58 AM PDT by newzjunkey (Demand Mexico Turnover Fugitive Murderers: http://www.escapingjustice.com)
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To: sphinx

Something severe should be the punishment in specific cases of fraud with intent to cause harm or mayhem or whatever like this. It's essentially terrorist activity.


4 posted on 04/09/2005 11:42:24 AM PDT by newzjunkey (Demand Mexico Turnover Fugitive Murderers: http://www.escapingjustice.com)
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To: newzjunkey
It's essentially terrorist activity.

I don't think it rises to the level of terrorist activity. Felony vandalism would be more appropriate.

5 posted on 04/09/2005 11:45:30 AM PDT by Graybeard58 (Remember and pray for Spec.4 Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
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To: crushelits
"The scam uses e-mail messages that appear to come from Microsoft..."

How many times do people have to be told that Microsoft doesn't send these messages out? Do these same people respond to the phony bank 'phishes'? I know, it's all Microsoft's fault!

6 posted on 04/09/2005 11:46:19 AM PDT by TommyDale
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To: crushelits
Probably has less bugs than a real MS update.
7 posted on 04/09/2005 11:46:56 AM PDT by LA Conservative (Peace Kills)
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To: sphinx
I am starting to favor the death penalty for these creeps.

Bill Gates and Co.?

8 posted on 04/09/2005 11:49:11 AM PDT by AFreeBird (your mileage may vary)
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To: newzjunkey
And this is different from authentic updates how, exactly? ;)

Microsoft update notifications don't come in the form of email.

9 posted on 04/09/2005 11:49:53 AM PDT by Cagey
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To: crushelits
Fake Microsoft security updates circulate ^
  Posted by infocats
On News/Activism ^ 04/08/2005 1:48:51 PM EDT · 38 replies · 733+ views


ZD Net News ^ | April 8, 2005 | Dawn Kawamoto
An e-mail campaign designed to lure people to a bogus Microsoft Web site is making the rounds as part of an attempt to install a Trojan horse, antivirus company Sophos said Friday. Attackers are sending out fake e-mails that claim to come from Microsoft's Windows Update. People who click on the link in the message are steered to a site that looks like Microsoft's security update site, where they are urged to download fake patches. But should unsuspecting users download the bogus patches, they will infect their computers with the Troj/DSNX-05 Trojan horse, according to Sophos. That, in turn, will...
 

Fake Microsoft Security Updates Circulate ^
  Posted by Pendragon_6
On News/Activism ^ 04/08/2005 11:38:54 AM EDT · 5 replies · 516+ views


C/Net ^ | 4-8-2005 | Dawn Kawamoto
An e-mail campaign designed to lure people to a bogus Microsoft Web site is making the rounds as part of an attempt to install a Trojan horse, antivirus company Sophos said Friday. Attackers are sending out fake e-mails that claim to come from Microsoft's Windows Update. People who click on the link in the message are steered to a site that looks like Microsoft's security update site, where they are urged to download fake patches. But should unsuspecting users download the bogus patches, they will infect their computers with the Troj/DSNX-05 Trojan horse, according to Sophos. That, in turn, will...
 

10 posted on 04/09/2005 11:52:57 AM PDT by RedBloodedAmerican
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To: newzjunkey

Forkbomb it!


11 posted on 04/09/2005 12:01:31 PM PDT by Darksheare (This tagline currently has a stick poking out of it.)
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To: RedBloodedAmerican
My wife ran into this last month. A very authentic looking window popped up with all of the MS logos that stated critical updates are available, with a download now/notify me later/view updates...of course she hit the download button...

Very nasty trojan intrusion that took hours to kill, and I'm still not sure if I got all of it out.

12 posted on 04/09/2005 12:04:01 PM PDT by JDoutrider
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To: JDoutrider

TDS3


13 posted on 04/09/2005 12:09:23 PM PDT by RedBloodedAmerican
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To: TommyDale

I think there were 55 Million of them on November 2nd :)


14 posted on 04/09/2005 12:14:40 PM PDT by MikefromOhio (Iohannas Paulus II, Requiescat in Pacem)
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To: crushelits

This is not spam.

This is a real note.

You are getting sleepy. You must send me all your money.

You will send me all your money, now.

You will not tell anyone what you have done.


15 posted on 04/09/2005 12:22:38 PM PDT by Nick Danger (You can stick a fork in the Mullahs... they're done)
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To: RedBloodedAmerican

I'll give that a try...thank you!


16 posted on 04/09/2005 12:22:48 PM PDT by JDoutrider
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To: JDoutrider
My wife ran into this last month. A very authentic looking window popped up with all of the MS logos that stated critical updates are available, with a download now/notify me later/view updates...of course she hit the download button...

That's something akin to a serial killer showing up at your door and claiming he's there to fix the furnace. Believe him at your own risk.

17 posted on 04/09/2005 1:43:12 PM PDT by Mr Ramsbotham (Laws against sodomy are honored in the breech.)
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To: sphinx
I am starting to favor the death penalty for these creeps.

Me too.

18 posted on 04/09/2005 1:50:05 PM PDT by Paul_Denton (Get the UN out of the US and US out of the UN!)
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To: crushelits

Why aren't these Aholes in jail?

If it was a destrutive virus that caused you to reformat your hardrive, they would be prosecuted. But, these pos's are frankly worse. It is so much easier to reformat the hardrive then work with all the garbage they put on. We need more sights like the one below to lt the public know who is doing this crap.

http://www.unwantedlinks.com/Top_Text_Hallofshame.html


19 posted on 04/09/2005 3:20:57 PM PDT by bilhosty
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To: Nick Danger

all your hard drives belongtous


20 posted on 04/09/2005 4:17:59 PM PDT by al baby (Dick Trickle is not just a medical condition)
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