World Cup spam is weighing down the UK workforce, according to security firm Sophos. 

The company said that World Cup-related spam seen so far has included notifications of bogus FIFA-sponsored lottery wins, deals to get cheaper phone calls until the end of the tournament, and offers of tickets to the matches in Germany. 

In one of the latest examples, spammers offered recipients a $500 Visa gift card if they answered a question on which team they think will win the World Cup.

However, Sophos said that clicking anywhere on the email results in the user's internet browser being taken to a website promoting plasma TV sets.

"Users will feel as sick as a parrot when they realise they are unlikely ever to receive a prize, and have confirmed that their email address is active to the people who fill up their inboxes with junk every day," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.

Sophos also reiterated its previous warnings about the malicious Sixem email worm which infects Windows computers by persuading gullible users to click on an attachment alleged to contain pictures of naked football fans.

Further reading:
More stories on these topics:
Permalink  Comments  Forward
what do you think?
Click here for more Post your comment
Click here for more Send an email to the Computing editor at feedback@computing.co.uk
Reader comments for this story
Post your comment Post your comment   What is this?
Like this story? Spread the news by clicking a link:   Post this to Delicious del.icio.us     Post this to Digg digg this     Post this to reddit reddit!

related content
latest news
A VirginTrain
Communications
BulletVirgin Wi-Fi is hit by delays
Onboard web service due to arrive in 2007 is behind schedule  21 Aug 2008
NHS procedure
Public Sector
BulletConservatives seek "vision" for NHS IT policy
The British Computer Society will conduct an independent review of NHS IT policy  21 Aug 2008
crowd of people
Public Sector
BulletGovernment urged to scrap paper census
Better public sector data sharing would provide all the necessary information, says think tank  21 Aug 2008
Click here for more More news
latest in depth
EU flags
Public Sector
BulletData retention plans draw further criticism
Privacy fears over directive that will allow organisations to view emails, texts and web use  21 Aug 2008
Men using mobile phones
Management
BulletIT staff survive credit crunch
Firms recognise need for IT ­ – but staff must keep skills up to date  20 Aug 2008
Oyster card
Public Sector
BulletMixed reaction to decision by TfL to end Oyster contract
Transport for London cuts its ties with the TranSys consortium and begins plans for its replacement  21 Aug 2008
Click here for more More in depth

Advertising Marketplace

Sponsored links

Featured jobs

Business Development and Partnership Director
United Kingdom | Sussex HIS via Acertus Ltd
Business Development and Partnership Director - £62,337 to £77,179 plus benefits Any Sussex HIS location by agreement  The Sussex HIS was formed in mid 2004 through the merging of all IT services from all Trusts ... more >
ICT Systems Administrator
London, United Kingdom | Feltham City Learning Centre
ICT Systems Administrator - Feltham City Learning Centre - £23,097 - £24,528 A full time ICT Systems Administrator to work in the Feltham City Learning Centre. This role requires a broad range of ICT skills ... more >
Site Solution Engineer
Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom | EDS
Position # 389232 Job Title - Engineering Delivery Directorate Site Solution Engineer - Short Description: The Defence Information Infrastructure (DII) project is contracted to supply both hardware and software infrastructure solutions to support the MoD ... more >
Change Project Manager
London, Berkshire, United Kingdom | EDS
EDS are currently looking to recruit an experienced Change Project Manager to support our Programme Directorate Defence team in Reading, Berkshire. Summary: This role sits within a secure site and will be to work on ... more >
Click here for more  More job opportunities