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What is a “mail automatic attempt”?

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  • Updated

Overview

This article will explain the ACSIA alert called "mail automatic attempt".


Explaining the mail automatic attempt

"Mail automatic attempt" refers to a type of attack where an automated process is used by an attacker to send a large volume of malicious or spam emails. This automated approach allows the attacker to reach a wide range of recipients quickly and attempt to deceive or compromise them without the need for manual intervention.

Example of a "mail automatic attempt" attack:

Let's consider a case where a group of attackers wants to distribute malicious software, such as ransomware, to infect multiple computers within a company's network. To achieve their goal, they decided to use a "mail automatic attempt" attack.

The attackers develop a specialized program that automatically generates a high volume of emails containing malicious attachments. These attachments might be disguised as harmless files or documents, encouraging recipients to open them. The attackers create compelling subject lines and email content to increase the chances of the recipients falling for the scam.

Using the automated program, the attackers start sending these emails to a large list of email addresses obtained through various means, such as data breaches or buying email lists on the dark web. The automated process allows them to distribute thousands of emails within a short period.

Some of the recipients may unwittingly open the malicious attachments, thinking they are legitimate files or documents. Once opened, the malicious software is executed, infecting their computers and potentially spreading further within the company's network.

As the "mail automatic attempt" attack progresses, the company's email security system detects the suspicious pattern of emails and notices the influx of emails containing attachments with similar characteristics. The system recognizes this as a potential cyber threat and flags these emails as spam or potential malware.

The company's IT team is alerted about the ongoing attack and responds quickly. They implement additional email security measures, such as blocking certain types of attachments and enhancing their spam filters to prevent malicious emails from reaching their employees' inboxes.

Thanks to the swift action and effective email security protocols, the company successfully mitigates the "mail automatic attempt" attack. The automated nature of the attack allowed the attackers to target a large number of recipients, but the company's strong defenses and timely response prevented the malware from causing significant damage to their network and data.

In this example, the "mail automatic attempt" attack showcases how attackers use automation to propagate malware or deceive users through mass email distribution.

 

ACSIA alerts you when a mail automatic attempt is performed on your infrastructure.