Spoofers are using BigLaw firm names in phishing expeditions
Received a emailed notice about a legal complaint or court appearance from a BigLaw firm lately?
It might not be legitimate, warns Crain’s Chicago Business.
Spoofers have been using the names of some of the country’s biggest and best-known law firms in recent efforts to trick email recipients into clicking on links that will put malware on their computers, the article explains. BigLaw firm names that have been misused in such phishing expeditions include Baker & McKenzie; Sidley Austin; and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom.
“The spoof involves an email falsely purporting to be from Reed Smith or another large law firm, and describing a “Notice to Appear in Court” or other fictitious court appearance,” says Reed Smith in a notice posted on the firm’s website last week. It emphasizes there was no breach in Reed Smith’s internal security.
“If you received such an email, please be aware that it did not come from our firm,” Reed Smith says. “In addition, note that the email may contain a link to a computer virus or other malware. You should not open the email or attachments, or respond to it in any way.”
