“NIGERIAN” FRAUD: MOBILE DEVICES BECOME A NEW TARGER FOR SPAM AND MALWARE ATTACKS
According to the latest Kaspersky Lab Security Bulletin , the volume of
spam emails in 2015 decreased to 55.28% of overall email traffic – a fall of
11.48% on the previous year. The significant slump in spam emails can be
attributed to the increasing popularity of legal advertising platforms on
social networks, coupon clipping service and etc.
spam emails in 2015 decreased to 55.28% of overall email traffic – a fall of
11.48% on the previous year. The significant slump in spam emails can be
attributed to the increasing popularity of legal advertising platforms on
social networks, coupon clipping service and etc.
Among other trends identified in the Kaspersky Lab spam report are the
following. Over three quarters (79%) of all emails sent were less than 2kb,
which shows a steady decrease in email size for spam campaigns over the past
few years. Financial institutions such as banks, payment systems and online
shops were attacked most often with phishing emails (34.33%, a rise of 5.59%).
following. Over three quarters (79%) of all emails sent were less than 2kb,
which shows a steady decrease in email size for spam campaigns over the past
few years. Financial institutions such as banks, payment systems and online
shops were attacked most often with phishing emails (34.33%, a rise of 5.59%).
In 2015, cybercriminals continued to send out fake emails from mobile
devices and notifications from mobile apps containing malware or advertising
messages. New tactics included fraudsters spreading malware in the form of .apk
(Android executive files) and .jar (ZIP archives containing a programme in
Java). In addition, cybercriminals masked a mobile encryption Trojan behind a
file containing updates for Flash Player. After launching, the malware
encrypted images, documents and video files stored on the device with users
receiving a message telling them to pay a fee in order to decrypt the files.
devices and notifications from mobile apps containing malware or advertising
messages. New tactics included fraudsters spreading malware in the form of .apk
(Android executive files) and .jar (ZIP archives containing a programme in
Java). In addition, cybercriminals masked a mobile encryption Trojan behind a
file containing updates for Flash Player. After launching, the malware
encrypted images, documents and video files stored on the device with users
receiving a message telling them to pay a fee in order to decrypt the files.
“The increased use of mobile devices in our everyday life to exchange
messages and data, as well as access and control bank accounts, has also
resulted in increased exploitation opportunities for cybercriminals. Mobile
malware and fraudulent spam is becoming more popular and efforts to dupe
victims are becoming more sophisticated year on year, with the emergence of
apps that can be used by cybercriminals both directly (for sending out spam,
including malicious spam) and indirectly (via phishing emails). Mobile device
users therefore need to be on their guard and remain vigilant, as cybercriminal
activities in this area are only likely to increase, along with our reliance on
devices”, warns Daria Loseva, Spam Analysis Expert at Kaspersky Lab.
messages and data, as well as access and control bank accounts, has also
resulted in increased exploitation opportunities for cybercriminals. Mobile
malware and fraudulent spam is becoming more popular and efforts to dupe
victims are becoming more sophisticated year on year, with the emergence of
apps that can be used by cybercriminals both directly (for sending out spam,
including malicious spam) and indirectly (via phishing emails). Mobile device
users therefore need to be on their guard and remain vigilant, as cybercriminal
activities in this area are only likely to increase, along with our reliance on
devices”, warns Daria Loseva, Spam Analysis Expert at Kaspersky Lab.
The US remained the biggest source of spam (15.2%), with second place taken
by Russia (6.15%) and China making way for Vietnam in third spot (6.12%).
Germany was the biggest victim with 19.06% of spam attacks – a 9.84% increase
on 2014, followed by Brazil at 7.64% which posted a 4.09% increase and moved up
from sixth place in 2014. Russia moved up to third place from eighth, an
increase of 3.06% to 6.03% of all spam attacks in 2015.
by Russia (6.15%) and China making way for Vietnam in third spot (6.12%).
Germany was the biggest victim with 19.06% of spam attacks – a 9.84% increase
on 2014, followed by Brazil at 7.64% which posted a 4.09% increase and moved up
from sixth place in 2014. Russia moved up to third place from eighth, an
increase of 3.06% to 6.03% of all spam attacks in 2015.
“Nigerian” fraud used the Ukrainian political situation, the Syrian civil
war, the election in Nigeria and the earthquake in Nepal to exploit the
kindness and empathy of recipients with believable email content. These emails
contained content calling for material support for a person in need.
war, the election in Nigeria and the earthquake in Nepal to exploit the
kindness and empathy of recipients with believable email content. These emails
contained content calling for material support for a person in need.
Although the Olympic games in Brazil has yet to take place, fraudsters have
already started to exploit the event, sending emails announcing false lottery
wins and asking the recipient to fill in a form with their personal details. In
these attacks, emails with pdf attachments, pictures and other graphical
elements were designed to fool the spam filters.
already started to exploit the event, sending emails announcing false lottery
wins and asking the recipient to fill in a form with their personal details. In
these attacks, emails with pdf attachments, pictures and other graphical
elements were designed to fool the spam filters.
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