A mass mailing worm that attempts to trick users into downloading malware in response to bogus text messages is spreading in Spain.

Anti-virus firm McAfee said the Eliles-A worm is among the first malware samples to automate a so-called phishing via SMS (SMiShing) attack.

Compromised PCs are used to send SMS messages free of charge via email sent through the SMS Gateways of two Spanish operators.

The worm has two routines in it that calculate random phone numbers to target for attack.

Targeted users receive an SMS claiming to be from the mobile operator and advising them to download "free antivirus software" for their phone. Users that download and install the software from the link would have found themselves infected with malware.

The link is now inactive but pointed towards a Symbian SIS file, indicating that the malware is targeting Symbian phones for infection. Its unclear what malware payload hackers intended to deposit on the shiny Nokia Series 60 phones of their intended marks.

McAfee said evidence within the code of the Eliles-A worm suggests it was cobbled together from from a variety of disparate sources by script kiddies. Most of the code is in Spanish with some German comments. ®

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