Swine Flu updates became the top reported news for the last few days. Mexico is the epicenter for the swine influenza virus outbreak. More than 150 deaths in Mexico are being investigated as possibly tied to the outbreak. Today, the World Health Organization raised its pandemic alert level to five on a scale of six in response to the outbreak of swine flu that originated in Mexico. All countries are advised to activate their pandemic preparedness plans immediately. While the flu virus spreads rapidly, spammers leverage on the topic and wastes no time as well.
Swine Flu Outbreak Hits The Web Through Spam
by Adrian Labiano (Anti-spam
Research Engineer)
After the World Health Organization raised its global alert level on the spreading swine flu virus, Spammers quickly used this event for their spam campaigns. Early this morning, we have seen spam samples using Swine flu worldwide! or Swine flu outbreak! as their email subject. Spammers are using this social engineering technique because having the latest news as the mail’s subject greatly increases the chance that the recipient will open their spammed messages.
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The spammed messages content is not about the swine flu virus but a short message that is related to meds spam with a link that directs you to an online store which sells penis enlargement pills.
The messages are already blocked by the Smart Protection Network. Users are advised to ignore simiar messages that may arrive in their inbox and opt to choose more reliable sources about swine flu. The pandemic has reportedly claimed 149 lives in Mexico, which is the epicenter of the outbreak, while more and more cases are being reported from other parts of the globe.
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