Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Security experts are warning that the Waledac botnet is being a fresh wave of spam.  This new variant spreads its Trojan, also named Waledec, by spam messages about a program that claims it will let the user spy on people’s text messages.  Recipients are directed to an URL to download it. The program is fake and installs the Trojan instead.  Here are some of the subject lines used to distribute the malware:

Can your love life be re-ignited?
Are you sure in your partner’s faithfulness?
Now, It’s possible to read other people’s SMS
We will tech you to be the master of making love art
Just type the phone number and read SMS
Do you want to test your partner?
Have more fun and pleasure in your intimate life
Now, you can read any SMS messages from any mobile phones
Keep a spy eye on your Girlfriend’s mobile
What’s Your Hall of Shame
Are you redy to know the truth

This latest spam campaign is obviously targeted at suspicious and/or untrusting people.  Waledec is the botnet believed to be behind the Conficker worm as well.  That worm has infected over 15 million computers around the world.  Rumors spread that it would drop a huge payload on April 1st, but that turned out to be untrue, although it has called into its control servers and updated itself at least once.  Some experts believe one gang controls both while others say it’s more likely two groups of cybercrooks are working together.

In addition to the new SMS spyware spam, Waldec sends out spam designed to exploit headlines and major holidays.  At present it sends about 7,000 spam messages an hour, which puts it far behind Rustock and Xarvester, which send out a whopping 25,000 spam messages an hour.

Since Waledec keeps reinventing itself to keep from being detected by anti-virus programs, it’s crucial that you and your employees avoid clicking on links in emails and that your company’s spam filters are kept updated at all times.  Researchers say the phrase “no honor among thieves” no longer applies to the world of cybercrime as more and more gangs team up and combine their resources.  This makes them more powerful and ultimately, more profitable, so beware.

Read [SpamFighterNews]