Coronavirus (COVID-19) is being used in email Spam attacks, Malware and other Scams

Product / Version includes:

Deep Security Smart CheckAll , TippingPoint Virtual SMSAll , Trend Micro Email SecurityAll , Apex One as a ServiceAll , Deep Discovery InspectorAll , Email Encryption HostedAll , Email Reputation ServicesAll , TippingPoint SMSAll , TXOne - EdgeIPSAll , Worry-Free Plug-In - Security For MACAll , Cloud One - Application SecurityAll , Deep Security As A ServiceAll , Safe LockAll , TXOne - EdgeFireAll , Worry-Free Remote ManagerAll , TippingPoint ThreatDVAll , Deep Discovery AnalyzerAll , Control ManagerAll , Apex One (Mac)All , Deep Discovery DirectorAll , Interscan Web Security Virtual ApplianceAll , ServerProtect for Microsoft Windows/Novell NetWareAll , Portable SecurityAll , Apex CentralAll , Cloud EdgeAll , Apex OneAll , Deep SecurityAll , Hosted Mobile SecurityAll , TippingPoint Virtual TPSAll , Trend Micro Web SecurityAll , Endpoint EncryptionAll , Worry-Free Business Security StandardAll , InterScan Messaging Security SuiteAll , Deep Discovery Email InspectorAll , Smart Protection ServerAll , ServerProtect For LinuxAll , Interscan Messaging Security Virtual ApplianceAll , Interscan Web Security SuiteAll , Scanmail for IBM DominoAll , Worry-Free Business Security ServicesAll , Licensing Management PlatformAll , Remote ManagerAll , ScanMail for ExchangeAll , TippingPoint Digital VaccineAll , Worry Free Services for DellAll , Instant Messaging SecurityAll , PortalprotectAll , Worry-Free Business Security AdvancedAll , Mobile Security For EnterpriseAll , ServerProtect For StorageAll , ServerProtect For EMC CelerraAll

Last updated: 2021/08/28

Solution ID: KA-0010345

Category: Configure , Update

Summary

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is being used as bait in email spam attacks on targets around the globe. As the number of those afflicted continue to surge by thousands, campaigns that use the disease as a lure likewise increase.

This has been observed by many entities, and also seen a significant spike in the detection of the use of the subject in email spam attacks.

Almost 7,000 unique samples out of 41,000 total Corona Phishing Spam samples reported from Smart Protection Network (SPN) enabled in Trend Micro Messaging products.

Available Solutions

Solution Modules	Solution Available	Pattern Branch	Release Date	Detection/Policy/Rules
Email Protection	Yes	AS Pattern 5268	3-Mar-20	Spam
URL Protection	Yes	In the Cloud		Malware Accomplice
File detection (VSAPI/Smart Scan) and Advanced Threat Scan Engine (ATSE)	Yes	15.699.00	21-Feb-20	Backdoor.Win32.REMCOS.USMANEAGFE
		15.721.00	3-Mar-20	Trojan.X97M.CVE201711882.THCOCBO
		15.691.00	17-Feb-20	TrojanSpy.Win32.FAREIT.SMTHC.hp
		15.695.00	19-Feb-20	TrojanSpy.Win32.FAREIT.UHBAZCLIZ
		15.721.00	3-Mar-20	Trojan.MSIL.AGENTTESLA.THCOCBO
Predictive Learning (TrendX)	Yes	In the Cloud		Troj.Win32.TRX.XXPE50FFF034
Predictive Learning (TrendX)	Yes	In the Cloud		Downloader.VBA.TRX.XXVBAF01FF006

Recommendations

Make sure to always use the latest pattern available to detect the old and new variants.

Refer to the KB article: Recommendations on how to best protect your network using Trend Micro products.
Make sure to implement our Best practice configuration for Trend Micro products.

Refer to the KB article: Best Practice Configuration and Prevention using Trend Micro products.
Make sure to implement Spam Best Practice Configuration and Prevention.

Refer to the following KB articles:

You may also check the KB article: Submitting suspicious or undetected viruses for file analysis to Technical Support.

For support assistance, please contact Trend Micro Technical Support.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) is being used in email Spam attacks, Malware and other Scams

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) is being used in email Spam attacks, Malware and other Scams

Product / Version includes:

Summary

Available Solutions

Recommendations

Trend Micro Blogs