Malicious Code Circulating via Social Security Administration Phishing Messages

Malicious Code Circulating via Social Security Administration Phishing Messages

Original release date: November 24, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Last revised: November 24, 2009 at 2:42 pm

US-CERT is aware of public reports of malicious code circulating via
phishing email messages that appear to come from the Social Security
Administration. The messages indicate that the users’ annual Social
Security statements may contain errors and instruct users to follow a
link to review their Social Security statement. If users click this
link, they will be redirected to a seemingly legitimate website that
prompts them for their Social Security number. If users enter their
Social Security number and continue to the next page, they will be
given an option to generate a statement. If users attempt to generate
a statement, malicious code may be installed on their systems. This
malicious code attempts to collect online banking traffic to gain
access to the users’ bank accounts.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to take the following
preventative measures to help mitigate the security risks:
* Install antivirus software, and keep the virus signatures up to
date.
* Do not follow unsolicited links and do not open unsolicited email
messages.
* Use caution when visiting untrusted websites.
* Use caution when entering personal information online.
* Refer to the Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams (pdf) document
for more information on avoiding email scams.
* Refer to the Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks
document for more information on social engineering attacks.

Users are encouraged to contact the Social Security Administration to
verify the authenticity of any messages. Additional information will
be provided as it becomes available.