30 September 2011
Software and platforms affected
The following operating system platforms:
All
What is the problem?
Various spam emails are circulating which are designed to trick users into visiting a website. This site could be used to gather personal information (identity theft) or infect your computer with malicious software.
The subject lines of the email include, but are not limited to (some random number codes have been replaces with 0’s):
Important Information Regarding Your Broadband Account
The from lines of the email include, but are not limited to (some random number codes have been replaces with 0’s):
Department of Broadband <acc-upgrade@dbcde.gov.au>
The emails contain a link which should not be visited.
A sample email is listed below (there may be others):
========== Start Sample Email ==========
Broadband Internet Spam Quarantine Notification
Dear Subscriber,
THIS IS A FINAL NOTICE BEFORE ACCOUNT CLOSURE
You have recieved this email because some of your mails suspected of being spam
have been quarantined.
We are sending you this message directly because,we have been receiving
messages from our registered service providers regarding complaints from their
subscribers on anonymous use of their Email accounts. In this effect,we are
deactivating Email Accounts and your account is among those to be deactivated
because,we believe that your account online user profile may have been
compromised.
A new security have been added to our broadband to avoid unauthorize use of
accounts and to give subscribers a better service.In other to avoid the
deactivation of your account, you will have to verify and upgrade your e-mail
to our new added security.
Click the Release link below and select your service provider
https://dbcde/gov/broadband/index.html/upgrade/?siteAreaIndex=.
If the requisite upgrade is not made by 31.09.2011, we reserves the right to
close your broadband account without further notice in this regard
We apologise for any inconvenience. This message is purely as a result of our
determination to provide you with the best possible service.
Regards,
Department of Broadband,
Communications and the Digital Economy
========== End Sample Email ==========
What we recommend you do
If you receive an email similar to the above emails, do not click on the link in the email. Delete the email straight away.
If you have already clicked the link, it is quite possible your computer may now be infected. It is recommended you seek professional assistance in helping detect and remove the malware.
Make sure you have anti-virus software installed and keep it updated.
Additionally, this factsheet contains instructions to help detect and remove malware:
Factsheet 11, Parts 1-3, You suspect your computer is infected with malicious software – what should I do?
Disclaimer
This Advisory has been prepared by AusCERT for the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
The information is intended for used by home users and small to medium sized businesses and is general information only and not intended as advice and was accurate and up to date at the time of publishing. The material and information in this Advisory is not adapted to any particular person’s circumstances and therefore cannot be relied upon to be of assistance in any particular case. In any important matter, you should seek professional advice relevant to your own circumstances.
The Commonwealth, AusCERT, and all other persons associated with this Advisory accept no responsibility or liability for information either included or referred to in the Advisory. No responsibility or liability is accepted for any damage, loss or expense incurred as a result of the information contained in the Advisory, whether by way of negligence or otherwise.
The listing of a person or organisation in any part of this site or Advisory does not imply any form of endorsement by the Commonwealth of the products or services provided by that person or organisation. Similarly, links to other web sites have been inserted for your convenience and do not constitute endorsement of material at those sites, or any associated organisation, product or service.
Please note that material in this Advisory, as the case may be, includes views or recommendations of third parties, which do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commonwealth, or indicate its commitment to particular course of action. Material on this site or in this Advisory may also include information provided by third parties. The Commonwealth cannot verify the accuracy of information that has been provided by third parties.