( CNN ) -- A computer virus campaign is targeting opponents of Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin , according to anti-virus software maker Symantec . `` A wave of spam e-mails promoting a rally '' against the newly elected president is delivering the spyware as an attachment that appears to be a Word document . In reality , the file is a software program known as `` Trojan.Dropper . '' The spam e-mails began circulating sometime around March 5 , according to an entry Wednesday on Symantec 's official blog . The subject lines in the e-mails call demonstrators to action with phrases like : `` all to demonstration , '' `` instructions what to do , '' or `` meeting for the equal elections . '' The body of the e-mail pushes the recipient to open an attachment , purporting that it contains need-to-know information . When the user opens the file , a document does actually open revealing an announcement for a supposed anti-Putin rally with a map indicating its apparent location . But at the same time , the file drops a Trojan horse virus onto the unwitting user 's computer . Once on the computer , the virus overwrites many of the user 's files then deletes them thoroughly . `` The Trojan also attempts to connect to IP address 193.104.153.31 ( down at the time of analysis ) , '' Symantec says . This server address is located in Switzerland , but it is associated with another `` notorious '' virus that once operated off of a Web address with a Russian domain name . At the end of its virulent rampage , the malware crashes the victim 's computer , causing it to blue-screen . Symantec characterizes the spam attack as `` unusual -- mainly because of its size . '' These messages average 500 KB in size -- 50 times the usual size of junk e-mails . `` Most spam messages do not exceed 10 KB , '' the IT security company points out . Antivirus software has been adjusted to recognize the malware , but Symantec warns on its blog : `` As always , be aware of any unsolicited e-mails containing attachments , which might take advantage of current events like the recent election result in Russia . ''
Spam e - mails promoting a rally against President - elect Putin contain spyware . E - mails started circulating around March 5 , Putin Day . Virus overwrites many of the President 's files then deletes them thoroughly .