GHG Associates normally posts a monthly newsletter providing current developments regarding Equal Employment Opportunity. This month we would like to take this opportunity to warn our HR community and employers who may visit our website that there is a destructive virus that is targeting the computers of many HR professionals and employers.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently reported that corporate human resource professionals are being sent bogus, potentially harmful e-mails purporting to come from the EEOC.
The EEOC began receiving employer complaints about the e-mails Oct. 19, 2007, and discovered they contained a Trojan Horse virus that is likely to harm a recipient's computer if the user clicks on the referenced hyperlink and/or downloads the attached file.
The bogus e-mails appear to be targeting staff within company human resource departments and the source of the e-mails is still unknown, but the agency has referred the matter to the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US CERT) and is continuing to monitor the situation.
The bogus e-mail includes an EEOC logo under the subject line and contains purported language from the EEOC under the subject heading "Employer Liability for Harassment."
Excerpts of the phishing e-mail are highlighted below:
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FROM: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
SUBJECT: "Harassment Complaint Update For"
This is an automated email that confirms the registration of harassment complaint #number ... this harassment complaint can lead to law enforcement action. You can download and print a copy of this complaint to keep for your personal records here. ... Our staff will keep you updated regarding the status of our investigation. ... To check the status of your complaint access: |
GHG Associates remains vigilant in ensuring the secure handling of its client?s records through encrypted/digitally signed e-mail and computer e-fax. If you receive a suspicious e-mail similar to the e-mail illustrated above do not open the e-mail and immediately notify the EEOC or the US CERT at http://www.us-cert.gov.
Published by GHG associates
