Fake Microsoft Virus Warning – “Conficker Worm”

Feb 17, 2010 by admin    3 Comments    Posted under: Email Scams, Viruses & Malware

This little gem is quite clever. It relies on a few things

• That you will trust an email from Microsoft
• That you will have heard of the “Conficker Worm” which is a real virus
• That you will believe that your ISP will have notified Microsoft that your network is infected, rather than advising you directly

Dear Microsoft Customer,

Starting 12/11/2009 the ‘Conficker’ worm began infecting Microsoft customers unusually rapidly. Microsoft has been advised by your Internet provider that your network is infected.

To counteract further spread we advise removing the infection using an antispyware program. We are supplying all effected Windows Users with a free system scan in order to clean any files infected by the virus.

Please install attached file to start the scan. The process takes under a minute and will prevent your files from being compromised. We appreciate your prompt cooperation.

Regards,
Microsoft Windows Agent #2 (Hollis)
Microsoft Windows Computer Safety Division

Rather than containing software to repair the infection, the attachment itself contains malware which will infect your machine. Delete the email immediately.

Points to remember

• Microsoft would not contact you directly to warn of a virus infection
• Even if they did, they wouldn’t send you the software to delete it
• Your ISP would not advise Microsoft of a virus infection on your network. If they picked it up at all (which is doubtful) they would advise you directly
• You should NEVER open an attachment sent to you by email unless you are expecting it and trust the source

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