U.S. FTC warns of bogus e-mail containing spyware

A bogus e-mail message supposedly sent by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission contains spyware and targets corporate and banking executives as well as consumers, the FTC said Monday.

The bogus e-mail poses as an acknowledgment of an FTC complaint filed by the recipient, and includes an attachment. E-mail recipients who open the attachment to this e-mail can download malicious spyware onto their computers, the FTC said.

Recipients shouldn't open the e-mail; instead they should delete the message, the FTC advised.

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A bogus e-mail message supposedly sent by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission contains spyware and targets corporate and banking executives as well as consumers, the FTC said Monday.

The bogus e-mail poses as an acknowledgment of an FTC complaint filed by the recipient, and includes an attachment. E-mail recipients who open the attachment to this e-mail can download malicious spyware onto their computers, the FTC said.

Recipients shouldn't open the e-mail; instead they should delete the message, the FTC advised.

The hoax e-mail is personalized, containing the name of the recipient and their business. The bogus message explains how the complaint will be used and says, "Attached you will find a copy of your complaint. Please print a hard copy of the complaint for your records in the upcoming investigation."

Consumers can learn more about protecting themselves from malicious spyware and bogus e-mail messages at OnGuardOnline.gov, a Web site created by the FTC in partnership with other federal agencies and the technology industry to help consumers stay safe online. The site includes information on spyware and phishing.

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.