IT security firm Sophos has cautioned that security administrators should expect ‘an avalanche of spam, scams and malware attacks’ which try to exploit peoples interest in the late Michael Jackson.

It issued a note earlier today warning computer users to exercise extra caution when using email, following the discovery of a mass-mailing worm attack that is currently spreading via a malicious email campaign.

The email, which has the subject line ‘Remembering Michael Jackson’ can expose users to infection. 

Besides spreading via email, Sophos experts note that the malware is also capable of spreading as an Autorun component on a USB memory stick.

Sophos said it had detected malware known as Mal/ZipMal-B and Mal/VB-AD, and recommends that security managers update their anti-virus defences.