Dridex Lures Employees To Open Malicious Docs Via Fake Emails

December 23, 2021

Dridex, banking malware is currently being used to deceive employees into clicking on malicious Excel documents.

The malicious documents were sent to employees via fake employee termination emails.

These emails use the subject line “Employee Termination.” The content informs recipients that their employment will end on December 24th, 2021.

The email pointed out that “this decision is not reversible.” Embedded in the email is an attached Excel password-protected spreadsheet named ‘TermLetter.xls.”

As soon as an employee opens the Excel spreadsheet and enters the password, a blurry “Personnel Action Form” appears, asking them to “Enable Content” to display it properly.

Once activated, the victims receive a “Merry X-Mas Dear Employees!” pop-up message. Unknown to the victims, a malicious HTA file was stored in the C:\ ProgramData folder during the process. HTA contains a malicious VBScript that downloads Dridex from Discord to infect the device.

In order to mitigate this type of attack, users who receive such emails are advised to contact their human resources department or employees before opening the email.

For more information, read the original story in BleepingComputer.

Top Stories

Related Articles

June 26, 2026 Polaroid has launched a new advertising campaign criticizing data centre water consumption as concerns about the environmental more...

June 26, 2026 Opposition to large-scale data centre developments tied to the artificial intelligence boom is beginning to influence U.S. more...

June 26, 2026 Meta's chief technology officer says employee morale has fallen to one of the lowest levels in the more...

June 26, 2026 Memory chip maker Micron says it has signed 16 long-term strategic customer agreements that include price floors more...

Picture of TND News Desk

TND News Desk

Staff writer for Tech Newsday.
Picture of TND News Desk

TND News Desk

Staff writer for Tech Newsday.

Jim Love

Jim is an author and podcast host with over 40 years in technology.

Share:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn