Just when you think you have seen it all, I today discovered this article that describes what I would call one of the most creative means of spreading malware that I have seen in a very long time. Imagine having someone who is not “aware” of malware in the same sense that we are, coming across a flier on their windshield. The paper explains that they are in some sort of violation of some random parking statute and you need to view some listed Web site for more information.

Once at home, the individual then browses to the Web site only to be prompted to install a toolbar to enable them to “better view” other included pictures of the car in violation, or something to that point. And so comes an unwanted piece of software that has nothing to do with anything other than lining someone’s pockets. Each toolbar installation likely pays the recipient with the affiliate I.D. a sum for each successful install.

Pretty scary, huh? I certainly thought so as this could be honed to target just about anyone who is not familiar with this type of scam right up front. To make matters worse, it is probable that the toolbar, while unwanted, would sit there while the user continues along with the daily routine. And without knowing the privacy policy of said toolbar, who knows if this is a simple matter of unwanted software being maliciously installed or actual spyware itself? Brilliant in its simplicity, I would be the first to point out that the individual that tries this in real life is taking a real chance of having the snot beat out of them should they try this and end up being caught. Call it a hunch.