Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.
Online users who have received unexpected email messages with attached files with names ending with ".7z" are asked not to open them. This is because the fake email messages are being sent by cyber criminals and the attachments are 7-Zip compressed archived files that contain malware, malicious programs or computer viruses. And, any attempt to open the malicious attachments will result in the recipients getting their computers infected with a virus, Trojan horse, spyware, ransomware or other malware.
Subject: Emailed Invoice - 107681:1Date: Wed 30/08/2017 22:04From: Nickolas LeonardAttachment: I_107681-1.7z (3 KB)As requestedregards--Nickolas Leonard
Subject: Emailed Invoice - 107681:1
Date: Wed 30/08/2017 22:04
From: Nickolas Leonard
Attachment: I_107681-1.7z (3 KB)
As requested
regards
--
Nickolas Leonard
The 7-Zip compression is similar to ZIP which is the most popular file compression or archive formats.
Cyber criminals usually store their malware in compressed files to help prevent antivirus software from detecting them. In other words, they do it because the compressed malicious email attachments may bypass the recipients' antivirus software.
Files with the extension .7z are compressed archive files created with 7-Zip open source software. These files are created using a compression method called LZMA, which is an algorithm for lossless data compression—a type of compression known for reducing file size while preserving quality.
Check the comment section below for answers or additional information. Share what you know, or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below.
Online Threat Alerts (OTA) is not affiliated with or endorsed by any trademark owner mentioned in this article. Some of the information in samples in this article may have been impersonated or spoofed.
9
"Notice to appear in CourtCOURT ORDERWed 2/12/2020 7:48 AMFrom: Angela Marone - angelamarone-icj.com Document_Court_Order.7z (15 KB)--- Notice to appear in Court #0368759073 ---You are requested to appear in court on Friday the 14th of Febraury 2020 at 10:00 AM.Please, do not forget to bring all the documents related to this case. Herein attached are the Court Order and other documents pertaining to this case; including the court address and contact information.FILE ID is: CASE#0368759073Note: The case will be heard by the judge in your absence (if you do not attend) and the Court may issue an arrest warrant for your arrest. If a warrant is issued for your arrest, you may be held in custody until your brought before the Court .Yours faithfully,Angela Malone.Clerk of Court."Another malicious email.
Hi! Just received one attachment via facebook messenger with a file as video_8095.mp4.7z as an attachment. The messenger app cannot view it but is seen from the browser. Is this also the same malware infected program? I am hesitant to open it.
Got also one today. Did't open it.
dont open it! mobile phone messenger cant open it since its not intended to ran on mobile phones, and just what the article said it will infect your pc.. so it is intended to harm your computer..
12/26/2017Received similar .7z attachment emailSender (Terrell-mail316.us3.mcdlv.net)Attachment: CCE26122017_006144.7ZAttachment naming scheme seems to be letters (CCE) followed by today's date (26122017) = 26-12-2017.
Here is another scam:"Voicemail from 01770405763 <01770405763> 2m 22sMessage From "01770405763" 01770405763Created: Thu, 21 Dec 2017 07:54:00 0700Duration: 2m 22sAttachment: msg_21_12_01770405763-8442763.7z 2 KB"
Here is another scam:"InvoiceFri 29/09/2017 11:30From: "Roberto Kilner"Attachment: 869572.7zHi,Invoice attached for the Office365 account.RegardsRoberto Kilner"
Here is another scam:"Subject: Invoice PIS3021721Date: Tue 26/09/2017 23:25From: AutoPosted PI NotifierAttachment: InvoicePIS3021721.7zPlease find Invoice PIS3021721 attached."
Received the following question via a Facebook message:"Is the app 7 Zip itself malware?"Answer:No, 7-Zip is not a malware. It is a legitimate and free file compression format used to reduce the size of files.But, cyber criminals are using it to store their malware in, to help prevent antivirus software from detecting them.