Malicious hacking email targeting dental practices

The ADAVB has been advised that a hacking email targeting dental practices is operating, following a similar incident affecting public hospitals that was recently reported in the media. Emails imitating known email addresses and practitioners have been sent to dental practices and patients. These emails appear to be authentic because they are being sent from a practitioner's email address that is known to the recipient.

The content of the email thanks the recipient for their service or asks them to check or confirm details, by referring to an attachment and asking the recipient to open it – to date these attachments are Word documents. The email content ends with 'Sent from LG Mobile’ or ‘Nokia mobile’ however there could be more variations circulating that we are unaware of.

At this stage, we are unaware of any members opening the attached documents, and the resulting effects. However it can be assumed that opening the attachment could result in the installation of malicious software on your practice computer and/or network. 

If you receive an email or web contact like this, please do not respond to the email, forward the email or open any attachments. Please report your concerns to your IT service provider as soon as possible. 

Some email providers provide reporting mechanisms. If you use Outlook email, choose the ‘mark as phishing’ options in your email account. Similarly Google and Microsoft email providers have 'report phishing’ tools. 

You are encouraged to also report your concerns to the ACCC’s Spamwatch: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/

Further information:

https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/attempts-to-gain-your-personal-information/hacking

https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/attempts-to-gain-your-personal-information/phishing