A common technique for enticing email users to open virus launcher attachments is to send messages that appear relevant or important to many potential recipients. One way to accomplish this feat is to make the virus-carrying message appear to come from some type of business entity retail site, UPS, FEDEX, CITIBANK, or a large public service provider.
Below is a fake email claiming to be from FedEx regarding a package that cannot be delivered. This letter asks the recipient to open the attachment to obtain a FEDEX tracking number to pick up the package. The attachments contained in this type of email activate the virus. 384
The vendor sends emails like this to its customers advising them not to open any files attached to the email, as they do not include attachments. Both fake emails and legitimate emails that arrive in your inbox contain the sender of the letter.
How do you confirm whether the email is genuine and sent from ?
A. Verify the digital signature attached to the letter, a fake letter will not have a Digital ID at all
B. Check the Sender ID against the National Spam Database (NSD)
C. Fake letters will have spelling/grammar errors
D. Fake letters use extensive images, animations and flash content