Avoid infecting your device via fake "GOYAL ARTS AND TOYS" emails

What is "GOYAL ARTS AND TOYS email virus"?

"GOYAL ARTS AND TOYS email virus" refers to a malware-proliferating spam campaign. This term describes a mass-scale operation during which thousands of deceptive emails are sent. The letters distributed through this campaign are disguised as purchase orders from the Goyal arts and toys company. It must be emphasized that these emails are fake and their sole aim is to infect recipients devices' with LokiBot malware.

"GOYAL ARTS AND TOYS" fake email in detail

The "GOYAL ARTS AND TOYS" scam emails (subject/title "RE: Purchase order-12034428 HANG TANG ARTWORK"; may vary) request recipients to provide their approval of the attached order. When this attachment is opened (and its macro commands enabled) - LokiBot malware's download/installation is triggered.

LokiBot malware functionalities

LokiBot malicious program's primary purpose is information theft. There are two variants of this malware; one is designed for Windows and the other - for Android operating systems. On the former, it can extract sensitive information from browsers and other installed applications. Additionally, LokiBot can record keystrokes (keylogging).

Both of these functionalities are typically used to obtain various account/platform log-ins credentials (i.e., usernames and passwords). Stolen accounts can then be used to steal the victim's identity, ask their contacts for loans, share malicious files and links, make fraudulent monetary transactions and online purchases, and so forth.

LokiBot steals data from Android OSes in a much more advanced manner. It can continually display pop-up windows requesting administrator-level permissions, and it can simulate sign-in windows (e.g., WhatsApp, Outlook, Skype, and other apps) to acquire log-in credentials. Furthermore, this malicious program can operate as screenlocker-type ransomware. In other words, it can lock the Android device screens with a ransom-demanding message.

To summarize, by trusting the fake "GOYAL ARTS AND TOYS" emails, users can experience system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft. If it is suspected/known that LokiBot (or other malware) has already infected the system - an anti-virus must be used to remove it immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	GOYAL ARTS AND TOYS spam
Threat Type	Trojan, password-stealing virus, banking malware, spyware.
Hoax	Scam emails are disguised as purchase orders
Attachment(s)	PTT SAMPLE AND PO.xlsx (filename may vary)
Detection Names	Avast (OLE:CVE-2017-11882-B [Expl]), BitDefender (Exploit.CVE-2017-11882.Gen), ESET-NOD32 (Probably A Variant Of Win32/Exploit.CVE-2017), Kaspersky (UDS:DangerousObject.Multi.Generic), Microsoft (Exploit:O97M/CVE-2017-11882.QDR!MTB), 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	LokiBot
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Spam campaigns in general

"Care Logistics Email Virus", "Statement Report", "Zoom Conference Invitation Email Virus", and "Vecchia Brianza Chocolab Email Virus" are some examples of malware-spreading spam campaigns. The letters sent through these mass-scale operations are often disguised as "official", "urgent", "important", and so on.

However, spam campaigns are not used exclusively to distribute malware. Spam mail is also employed to facilitate phishing and various other scams. Due to the prevalence of such mail, it is strongly recommended to exercise caution with incoming emails and messages.

How did "GOYAL ARTS AND TOYS email virus" infect my computer?

Systems are infected via malicious files distributed through spam campaigns. Infectious files can be attached to the emails, or the letters contain download links of such content. Virulent files can be in various formats, e.g., Microsoft Office and PDF documents, archive (ZIP, RAR, etc.) and executable (.exe, .run, etc.) files, JavaScript, and so on.

When the files are executed, run, or otherwise opened - the infection process (i.e., malware download/installation) is triggered. For example, Microsoft Office documents cause infections by executing malicious macro commands. This process begins the moment a document is opened in Microsoft Office versions released before 2010.

Newer versions Microsoft Office have "Protected View" mode that prevents automatic execution of macros. Instead, users can manually enable macro commands (i.e., editing/content), and they are warned of the potential risks.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Suspicious and irrelevant emails must not be opened, especially any attachments or links found in them. Additionally, it is recommended to use Microsoft Office versions released after 2010. Aside from spam mail, malware is also spread via dubious download channels (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.), illegal activation tools ("cracks"), and fake updates.

Therefore, it is important to download only from official and trustworthy sources. Furthermore, all software products must be activated and updated using tools or functions provided by legitimate developers.

It is crucial to have a dependable anti-virus installed and kept updated. This software has to be used to run regular system scans and remove threats. If you've already opened "GOYAL ARTS AND TOYS email virus" attachment, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in the "GOYAL ARTS AND TOYS" scam email letter:

Subject: RE: Purchase order-12034428 HANG TANG ARTWORK

 

Dear Sir,

 

Please find below pics of samples for approval for PO#509309 and PO# 509295 attached for your confirmation.

 

Please find attach the style 12034428 hang tag artwork for approval and color approval .

 

Regards
Vijay Yadav

 

GOYAL ARTS AND TOYS LTD.

 

G-190,SITAPURA INDUSTRIAL AREA

 

JAIPUR-302022 (INDIA)

 

TEL : +91-141-2771921 , 2771646

 

MOB : +91- 8003858242

Malicious attachment distributed via "GOYAL ARTS AND TOYS" spam campaign ("PTT SAMPLE AND PO.xlsx"):

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Quick menu:

• What is GOYAL ARTS AND TOYS 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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