Beware Of Bogus Emails Offering Windows 10 Upgrades

[Webster]

Stuff NZ: Beware Of Bogus Emails Offering Windows 10 Upgrades

Some hackers are exploiting Microsoft's offer of free upgrades to its new Windows 10 operating system.

Security researchers are warning about a wave of bogus spam emails with malicious attachments, labelled as if they're legitimate copies of the new program.

The attachments contain a "ransomware" program that, when opened, locks all the data on a computer and demands payment to release them.

Researchers at Cisco Systems say the emails are designed to look like an official upgrade notice from Microsoft, but several words have random, out-of-place letters and punctuation.

Another important clue: Microsoft says its update mechanism provides computer owners with a notice on their screens - not via email - when a direct Internet download is available. Experts warn against clicking on files that come with unsolicited emails.

-More info: http://blogs.cisco.com/security/talos/ctb-locker-win10
...thoughts?

 

[Smiley]

Ransomware? Check. Personally, I'd never fall for a scam like that, but I know there are lots of people in this world who would.

 

[Jazzy]

@Webster: Thank you very much for the heads up on this scam.

 

[DrLeftover]

My daughter's computer had the "FBI cashcard" ransomware on it a few years ago.

I had a devil of a time getting it off it so that it stayed off.

 

[~KAGE-008]

I did the upgrade via Windows Update. And it's always done there. Not via email. Suppose I'm safe then.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

You'd think people would be smarter than trying download an operating system from an email attachment.