[LM_NET] More about Windows Final Serial Notice Scam

[Barbara Braxton <barbara@AUSTARMETRO.COM.AU>]

A number of you have written to me to tell me that you opened the link
embedded in the message and that it lead to a Lycos UK site.  With that in
mind you might like to read this message than someone kindly forwarded to
me, and then scan your computer for spyware.

And yes, the original scam is full of grammatical errors but clearly people
do still fall for these scams, because they keep haunting us.  That's why I
suggested that you alert those who are not so Internet-savvy, like the
elderly who are vulnerable.
Barbara

"Scammers are taking advantage of recent news that Microsoft is asking users
to verify that they have a legitimate copy of Windows


Scammers are taking advantage of recent news that Microsoft is asking users
to verify that they have a legitimate copy of Windows, a security firm said
Friday.
According to Websense Security Labs, e-mails bearing the spoofed address of
security@microsoft.com and with the heading "Microsoft Windows Update" ask
recipients to update and/or validate both the Windows' serial number and the
customer's credit card information on a Web site.

"If you do not comply with our policy, windows will ask you to reactivate
your serial number, and it will become invalid," the e-mail reads, then goes
on to state, "So you will lose any information on your computer. If you do
not validate your serial number, your copy of windows will be labeled as
piracy."

The message claims that the credit card will not be charged, but is required
to validate that Windows is legit. It's signed "Windows XP Activation Team."

Not only does the phishing-style e-mail try to rip off consumers' credit
card numbers, but the site linked in the message will try to install spyware
on any PC used to surf to the URL, said Websense. Increasingly, phishers are
adding spyware to their bag of dirty tricks, installing key loggers and
other system monitors on compromised computers to watch for passwords and
other account access information.

Savvy users will know that Microsoft never sends unsolicited e-mails
relating to security, and that there is no such thing as the Windows XP
Activation Team. "



Barbara  Braxton
Teacher-Librarian
Palmerston District Primary School
PALMERSTON ACT 2913
AUSTRALIA

T. 02 6205 6162
F. 02 6205 7242
E. barbara@austarmetro.com.au
W. http://www.palmdps.act.edu.au
"Together, we learn from each other."

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