The email comes with the subject “Remembering Michael Jackson” and is sent from “sarah@michaeljackson.com”, Sophos said in a statement sent by its Asia office in Singapore.<\/p>\n
It tells recipients that an attached file titled “Michael songs and pictures.zip” contains secret songs and photos of the pop music icon, who died of a heart attack in the United States on June 25.<\/p>\n
Sophos warned computer users not to open the attachment.<\/p>\n
“By opening the attachment, computer users are exposed to infection. Once infected, a computer will begin automatically spreading the worm onto other Internet users,” Sophos said.<\/p>\n
“Besides spreading via email, Sophos experts note that the malware is also capable of preading as an Autorun component on USB memory sticks.”<\/p>\n
Graham Cluley, a senior technology consultant at Sophos, said many computer users are likely to be tempted to open the attachment because of the feverish interest in the King of Pop’s sudden death.<\/p>\n
“But sensible computer users should by now be well aware that cybercriminals will be quick to exploit news events to spread malware and spam,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Anyone who receives this email should delete it immediately to save themselves the embarrassment of infecting their email contacts.”<\/p>\n