Gorinchem, December 20, 2006 - Experts at SophosLabs, Sophos's global network of virus, spyware and spam analysis centers, have reminded computer users of the threat posed by image spam following a new campaign which purports to offer a cut-price edition of Microsoft Windows Vista.
Image spam, which uses a graphic embedded in an email rather than regular text, has grown in popularity amongst spammers attempting to communicate their marketing messages to internet users. Often image spam is used for promoting stock pump-and-dump scams or drugs to help with weight loss and sexual performance. In the latest widespread campaign seen by Sophos experts, image spammers are offering a bargain edition of Microsoft's new operating system, Windows Vista.
The spam email claims that the recipient can save $319.05 by downloading Windows Vista today.
It is unclear whether acting upon the spam would furnish the computer user with a pirated edition of Windows Vista or simply steal their credit card details. Whatever the ruse, Sophos experts recommend that users do not fall into the spammer's trap.
"This widespread spam campaign carries all the hallmarks of a typical image spam. The spammer has added random noise in the form of speckled pixels to make the graphic slightly different on each sending, and users are told to type in the name of the website rather than clicking on a link," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos. "Approximately 30% of all spam is now using images to try and sneak past anti-spam filters. Computer users need to ensure that they have strong defenses in place or they will continue to be bombarded by nuisances like this."
"The growth of image spam is one of the security stories of the year. Internet users should make it their New Year's resolution to make 2007 the time they got wise to internet threats," continued Cluley. "It's worrying just how poorly educated people are about web and email threats. System administrators and security geeks know about informative websites like GetSafeOnline but the average man in the street hasn't got a clue."
Sophos recommends companies protect themselves with a consolidated solution which can defend against the threats of spam, spyware and viruses.
An image of the Microsoft Windows Vista image spam campaign is available at:
www.sophos.com/pressoffice/news/articles/2006/12/vistaspam.htmlAbout Sophos Benelux Sophos Benelux, a Sophos distributorship located in Gorinchem, is dedicated to providing Sophos solutions and services to its partners, resellers and customers in the Benelux region. Sophos is a world leader in integrated threat management solutions, developing protection against viruses, spyware, spam and policy abuse for business, education and government.
About Sophos
Sophos is a world leader in integrated threat management solutions, developing protection against viruses, spyware, spam and policy abuse for business, education and government. Sophos’s reliably-engineered, easy-to-operate products protect more than 35 million users in more than 150 countries. Through 20 years’ experience and a global network of threat analysis centers, the company responds rapidly to emerging threats – no matter how complex – and achieves the highest levels of customer satisfaction in the industry.
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