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Jackson virus and spam spreads on Internet

Security researchers warned on Thursday of the increasing levels of viruses and spam using Jackson's name to snare unsuspecting users.

Updated on: Jul 3, 2009, 16:42:21 IST
DPA | By , San Francisco
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Security researchers warned on Thursday of the increasing levels of viruses and spam using Jackson's name to snare unsuspecting users.

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One e-mail carries the subject line "Remembering Michael Jackson" was circulating with a worm in tow. The e-mail has a zip file attached that infects victims if downloaded.



"The e-mail, which claims to come from

sarah@michaeljackson.com

, says that the attached ZIP file contains secret songs and photos of Michael Jackson," Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, wrote on a blog. "However, the reality is that opening the attachment exposes you to infection - and if your computer is hit you


will be spreading the worm onto other Internet users."



Cluley said that the malware also spreads via USB memory sticks. Another e-mail promises an exclusive look at a YouTube video of the "last work of Michael Jackson," but instead installs a malicious program that steals passwords.

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