News0 min ago
Your Invoice Is Attached
7 Answers
In my spam box I have for some time been getting half a dozen emails a day saying my invoice/job offer /latest statement /refund notice/voicemail message/fax message is attached. I obviously delete them and don't even open them (as I see a preview of the first few words) .
Why do spammers send these? I assume the attachment contains some sort of malware but what is the objective of the spammer? Would the malware help them access my hard drive or emails? Is it just to cause mischief /disruption?
Why do spammers send these? I assume the attachment contains some sort of malware but what is the objective of the spammer? Would the malware help them access my hard drive or emails? Is it just to cause mischief /disruption?
Answers
Best Answer
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.//I assume the attachment contains some sort of malware but what is the objective of the spammer?//
The attachment might contain malware, but could equally contain a form to fill in or a link to a website as a phishing attempt - i.e. an attempt to get you to reveal sensitive info.
// Would the malware help them access my hard drive or emails?//
If there is malware, it might do any number of things - install a key-logger, or the crypto virus, or a variant, in order to blackmail you, or simply install a bot so that your machine can be used as part of a network for other nefarious purposes.
//Is it just to cause mischief /disruption?//
Rarely: most modern malware is about making money.
The attachment might contain malware, but could equally contain a form to fill in or a link to a website as a phishing attempt - i.e. an attempt to get you to reveal sensitive info.
// Would the malware help them access my hard drive or emails?//
If there is malware, it might do any number of things - install a key-logger, or the crypto virus, or a variant, in order to blackmail you, or simply install a bot so that your machine can be used as part of a network for other nefarious purposes.
//Is it just to cause mischief /disruption?//
Rarely: most modern malware is about making money.
Thanks both.
The sender's email address changes every time- I can get the same invoice email from several totally different addresses eddie so that wouldn't work for me.
I thought it may be keyloggers but surely loads of people must click on such attachments at some stage (else the senders wouldn't bother) l loads of PCs will have been affected.
Thanks. Got to go to work now.
The sender's email address changes every time- I can get the same invoice email from several totally different addresses eddie so that wouldn't work for me.
I thought it may be keyloggers but surely loads of people must click on such attachments at some stage (else the senders wouldn't bother) l loads of PCs will have been affected.
Thanks. Got to go to work now.
Thanks PP. So it can be an attempt to persuade me to hand over details or as The Chair says an attempt to infect me with malware to either install keyloggers or use my PC as a bot. If the statistics on malware are right (35%) then millions of UK computers could be affected by keyloggers which could cause serious damage to millions of bank accounts.
I would like to be able to open some of these attachments and possibly play along but it's too much of a risk
I would like to be able to open some of these attachments and possibly play along but it's too much of a risk