Blackberry owners are being targeted by a new type of malware that’s beginning to spread via spear phishing emails, according to security firm Websense.
According to a post on the company’s blog, Security Labs, those users who are targeted receive an email with the subject line “Your BlackBerry ID has been created.” The email encourages users to follow instructions in the attached file on how to “enjoy the full benefits” of their ID.
While the e-mail’s text and links are fine — Websense notes it’s copied from a legitimate email from BlackBerry maker Research in Motion— it’s the attachment that will give users trouble.
Those who open the attached .zip file will drop a handful of executable files that will modify the system registry to start malware programs upon the machine’s next startup.
Despite being the go-to phone for executives and government officials, Blackberry phones are rarely targeted by attackers yet this is the second time this month users of the platform have been targeted. A new iteration of the Zeus malware was found attacking the RIM-designed phone in early August.
