Brad Heap

It is good to read that for once Microsoft is going to court for the right reasons: http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/archives/173922.asp?from=blog_last3

Microsoft alleges that a Hong Kong-based company has been obtaining the usernames and passwords of Windows Live Messenger users, using those to hack into Microsoft’s system and users’ accounts, scraping their contact information, and using those contacts to continue the bulk spamming.

The company, Funmobile Ltd., allegedly sends an instant message that appears to be from the e-mail address of a person’s Windows Live contact, Microsoft says. The message contains a link to a Web site that requires users to enter their Windows Live log-in information. Then it redirects to an adult Web site or bogus social network for Windows Live users.

The suit alleges the defendants breached the Windows Live contract, tortuously interfered with Microsoft’s business relationships, violated the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, violated the Federal Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act, violated the Washington state Anti-Phishing Statute, trespassed on Microsoft property (its servers), and hence were unjustly enriched.

“Above all, we hope the lawsuit will send a clear message to all potential perpetrators that this kind of activity is not tolerated on our networks,” Cranton wrote.

Make sure you read the full article on the link above. At least now I can tell my friends when they spam me through MSN that they no longer have a virus but have rather been hacked, or more likely unknowingly given away their login details through visiting a fake MSN site. Good on Microsoft for taking the spammers to task on this one too.

Okay so I get this email from Zone Labs this morning.

Subject: Virus Alert: Trojan Storm (Trojan.Peacomm)

There has been a recent surge in email spam containing the threat known as Storm Trojan Worm (Trojan.Peacomm) which is quickly becoming the largest threat of 2007.

Severity: High Risk

When the Trojan Storm executable file is downloaded, the code installs a rootkit that disguises the malicious program. From there, the machine is remotely hijacked by a type of botnet, peer-to-peer network, only to be exploited later to steal personal data or to use the computer to post spam.

Your free ZoneAlarm Firewall will not protect you from the Trojan Storm. The only ZoneAlarm products that will protect against this worm are ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite and ZoneAlarm Antivirus.

If you upgrade to ZoneAlarm Security Suite, you will be completely protected from this harmful threat as well as other future infections. Since we are concerned about your security, we are offering our complete ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite for $39.95, a 20% savings.

Upgrade to ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite for only $39.95

ZoneAlarm Steps & Tips
- Keep antivirus & anti-spam protection updated
- Do not open any unknown emails
- Do not click on any unknown email attachments or links

This line got my attention: “…or to use the computer to post spam.”

Hold on one second, did you just spam me to warn me of a virus that sends me spam? How do I know you are not using that very virus to send this email. Hmm, conspiracy theory anyone?

Tag Archives: Spam

Microsoft in court for the right reasons

Ironic Spam