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Another exploit using McDonald's exposed

Cyber crooks are combining the current financial crisis and Christmas period in a social engineering attack using McDonald's to expose internet users to online threat by infecting their PCs, an expert says.

The P2PShared.U worm is being spread by purported email messages offering a special Christmas offer from McDonald's and internet users clicking on this message risk compromising their online security.

The revelation has been made by Panda Security, which says the worm also spreads itself using a different set of emails claiming to be a Hallmark e-card from a friend.

"These emails use social engineering in different ways. Both emails attract users' attention with Christmas-related subjects," stated Luis Corrons, technical director of PandaLabs.

"However, the first email also exploits the financial crisis by inviting users to download a coupon for gifts and savings; a very effective lure."

A similar exploit using McDonald's was reported earlier in the month. The phishing scam was a satisfaction survey, which came with a purported cash incentive for those who responded.

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