Avoid infecting the system through "SD BIOSENSOR" scam emails
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is "SD BIOSENSOR Email Virus"?
"SD BIOSENSOR" is yet another Coronavirus/COVID-19-themed spam campaign. The term "spam campaign" is used to define a large scale operation, during which thousands of deceptive/scam emails are sent. The messages are disguised as mail from a legitimate global bio-diagnostic company (SD BIOSENSOR).
These emails are presented as important orders concerning the pandemic, however, rather than containing this information, upon opening, the attached Excel file initiates download/installation of MassLogger malware.
The "SD BIOSENSOR" emails with the subject "Quotation Request ARN200618-1" (titles might vary) state that their messages contain an urgent Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic order. They state that the attached file is supposedly a request under the number/code ARN200618-1.
Additionally, recipients are urged to inspect the equipment and products in the listed website. They are instructed that a speedy response is greatly appreciated. Rather than containing the aforementioned request, the attached Excel spreadsheet ("SD Technology Co. Ltd_RFQ_ARN200618-1.xlsm") infects systems with MassLogger.
This piece of malicious software steals information. Following successful installation, it attempts to extract account log-in credentials (e.g. usernames and passwords) from certain browsers, communication apps/messengers, and email, VPN (Virtual Private Network) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) clients.
Furthermore, MassLogger has keylogging capabilities. Therefore, this malicious program can record key strokes. This functionality can also be used to steal victims' accounts and other sensitive typed information.
Cyber criminals typically target email, social media, social networking, messaging, data storage, file sharing, e-commerce, online money transfers, cryptocurrency wallets (cryptowallets), banking and other accounts. To summarize, trusting the fake "SD BIOSENSOR" emails can result in system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and identity theft.
If it is suspected or known that MassLogger (or other malware) has already infected the system, use anti-virus software to remove it immediately.
| Name | SD BIOSENSOR spam |
| Threat Type | Trojan, password-stealing virus, banking malware, spyware. |
| Hoax | Emails are disguised as Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic orders |
| Attachment(s) | SD Technology Co. Ltd_RFQ_ARN200618-1.xlsm |
| Detection Names | Avast (Script:SNH-gen [Trj]), BitDefender (Trojan.GenericKD.34066374), ESET-NOD32 (VBA/TrojanDropper.Agent.BHD), Kaspersky (HEUR:Exploit.MSOffice.CVE-2017-11882.), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Trojans are designed to stealthily infiltrate the victim's computer and remain silent, and thus no particular symptoms are clearly visible on an infected machine. |
| Payload | MassLogger |
| Distribution methods | Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, software 'cracks'. |
| Damage | Stolen passwords and banking information, identity theft, the victim's computer added to a botnet. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
"Secure Parking", "Audit and Assurance", and "BOTAS" are some examples of other malware-proliferating spam campaigns, and "Institut za zdravstvo Srbije", "U.S Department of Labor", "COVID-19 test" are some Coronavirus/COVID-19 centered spam campaigns.
The deceptive emails distributed through these operations are usually presented as "official", "urgent", "priority" and similar.
As with "SD BIOSENSOR" emails, many scam messages are disguised as mail from genuine institutions/organizations, companies, service providers, etc., however, distribution of malicious programs is not the sole purpose of such emails - they can also be used for phishing and other scams.
Regardless of what this mail claims, offers, requests or demands, the purpose is identical: to generate revenue to the scammers/cyber criminals responsible.
How did "SD BIOSENSOR Email Virus" infect my computer?
System infections are caused through dangerous files, sent via spam campaigns. The files can be attached to the emails or, alternatively, the messages can contain download links of malicious content. Infectious files can be in various formats (e.g. archives, executables, PDF and Microsoft Office documents, JavaScript, etc.).
When they are executed, run or otherwise opened, the infection process/chain (i.e. malware download/installation) is initiated. For example, Microsoft Office documents infect systems by executing malicious macro commands.
In MS Office versions released before 2010, the infection process begins when the file is opened, however, newer versions have "Protected View" mode, which prevents macros from being executed automatically - users are asked to enable macro commands (i.e. to enable editing/content) and, therefore, malware download/installation is triggered only if macros are enabled manually.
How to avoid installation of malware
Do not open suspect or irrelevant emails, especially those with any attachments or links present in them. Additionally, you are advised to only use Microsoft Office versions released after 2010, however, malicious programs are not proliferated exclusively through spam campaigns.
Other popular distribution methods include untrusted download channels (e.g. unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders), illegal activation tools ("cracks") and bogus updaters.
Therefore, it is important to use only verified download sources, and activate and update software with tools/functions provided by legitimate developers. To ensure device and user safety, it is paramount to have reputable anti-virus software installed. Keep this software updated and use it to run regular system scans and to remove detected threats/issues.
If you have already opened "SD BIOSENSOR Email Virus" attachment, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.
Text presented in the "SD BIOSENSOR" email message:
Subject: Quotation Request ARN200618-1
Dear Sirs,
This is an urgent COVID-19 order.
Please find attached request no. ARN200618-1, equipment and products respectively as inspected on your website -.
Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.
Best regards,-
Sales | SALES ASSISTANT
Malicious attachment distributed via "SD BIOSENSOR" spam campaign ("SD Technology Co. Ltd_RFQ_ARN200618-1.xlsm"):
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Quick menu:
- What is SD BIOSENSOR spam?
- Types of malicious emails.
- How to spot a malicious email?
- What to do if you fell for an email scam?
Types of malicious emails:
Phishing Emails
Most commonly, cybercriminals use deceptive emails to trick Internet users into giving away their sensitive private information, for example, login information for various online services, email accounts, or online banking information.
Such attacks are called phishing. In a phishing attack, cybercriminals usually send an email message with some popular service logo (for example, Microsoft, DHL, Amazon, Netflix), create urgency (wrong shipping address, expired password, etc.), and place a link which they hope their potential victims will click on.
After clicking the link presented in such email message, victims are redirected to a fake website that looks identical or extremely similar to the original one. Victims are then asked to enter their password, credit card details, or some other information that gets stolen by cybercriminals.
Emails with Malicious Attachments
Another popular attack vector is email spam with malicious attachments that infect users' computers with malware. Malicious attachments usually carry trojans that are capable of stealing passwords, banking information, and other sensitive information.
In such attacks, cybercriminals' main goal is to trick their potential victims into opening an infected email attachment. To achieve this goal, email messages usually talk about recently received invoices, faxes, or voice messages.
If a potential victim falls for the lure and opens the attachment, their computers get infected, and cybercriminals can collect a lot of sensitive information.
While it's a more complicated method to steal personal information (spam filters and antivirus programs usually detect such attempts), if successful, cybercriminals can get a much wider array of data and can collect information for a long period of time.
Sextortion Emails
This is a type of phishing. In this case, users receive an email claiming that a cybercriminal could access the webcam of the potential victim and has a video recording of one's masturbation.
To get rid of the video, victims are asked to pay a ransom (usually using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency). Nevertheless, all of these claims are false - users who receive such emails should ignore and delete them.
How to spot a malicious email?
While cyber criminals try to make their lure emails look trustworthy, here are some things that you should look for when trying to spot a phishing email:
- Check the sender's ("from") email address: Hover your mouse over the "from" address and check if it's legitimate. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft, be sure to check if the email address is @microsoft.com and not something suspicious like @m1crosoft.com, @microsfot.com, @account-security-noreply.com, etc.
- Check for generic greetings: If the greeting in the email is "Dear user", "Dear @youremail.com", "Dear valued customer", this should raise suspiciousness. Most commonly, companies call you by your name. Lack of this information could signal a phishing attempt.
- Check the links in the email: Hover your mouse over the link presented in the email, if the link that appears seems suspicious, don't click it. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft and the link in the email shows that it will go to firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0... you shouldn't trust it. It's best not to click any links in the emails but to visit the company website that sent you the email in the first place.
- Don't blindly trust email attachments: Most commonly, legitimate companies will ask you to log in to their website and to view any documents there; if you received an email with an attachment, it's a good idea to scan it with an antivirus application. Infected email attachments are a common attack vector used by cybercriminals.
To minimise the risk of opening phishing and malicious emails we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
Example of a spam email:
What to do if you fell for an email scam?
- If you clicked on a link in a phishing email and entered your password - be sure to change your password as soon as possible. Usually, cybercriminals collect stolen credentials and then sell them to other groups that use them for malicious purposes. If you change your password in a timely manner, there's a chance that criminals won't have enough time to do any damage.
- If you entered your credit card information - contact your bank as soon as possible and explain the situation. There's a good chance that you will need to cancel your compromised credit card and get a new one.
- If you see any signs of identity theft - you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission. This institution will collect information about your situation and create a personal recovery plan.
- If you opened a malicious attachment - your computer is probably infected, you should scan it with a reputable antivirus application. For this purpose, we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
- Help other Internet users - report phishing emails to Anti-Phishing Working Group, FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, National Fraud Information Center and U.S. Department of Justice.
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