Independence Day brings down attack on computer users

Sophos is warning computer users of a widespread email spam campaign that poses as a video of American Independence Day fireworks, but is really an attempt to lure innocent victims into having their computers hacked.  The attack is the latest from the gang behind the Dorf malware, also known as the Storm worm.

Subject lines used in emails include:

Amazing Independence Day salute
America the Beautiful
Celebrating Fourth of July
Fabulous Independence Day firework
God bless America
Happy Fourth of July

Samples intercepted by Sophos show that inside each email is a simple phrase such as “Amazing Independence Day salute” or “The best firework you’ve ever seen”, followed by a web link.  Visiting the IP address takes the unsuspecting user to a malicious webpage, which disguises itself as a video player showing a firework display, with the following message:

Colourful Independence Day events have already started throughout the country. The largest firework happens on the last weekday before the Fourth of July. Unprecedented sum of money was spent on this fabulous show. If you want to see the best Independence Day firework just click on the video and run it.

However, clicking on the ‘video’ prompts the computer to attempt to download a file called ‘fireworks.exe’ onto Windows PCs, which Sophos proactively intercepts as the Troj/Dorf-BP Trojan horse.

The gang behind the Dorf family of attacks, also known as the Storm worm, has targeted other holidays in the past – Christmas, St Valentine’s Day, Halloween… the list goes on. The reason that they do this is very simple – it works. People fall for tricks like this all the time.