Koobface Virus Attacks Facebook

 

// Destructive Koobface virus turns up on Facebook. It is the latest attack by hackers, increasingly looking to prey on users of social networking sites. A variant of the Koobface virus was reportedly circulating on MySpace earlier this year but was eliminated after new security measures were put in place. A “very small percentage of users” had been affected by the virus said Barry Schnitt a spokesman from Facebook. But according to some other security experts, the virus is on rise. The virus can spread fast because they travel through messages which appear to come from your friends. The virus spreads by sending messages to Facebook friends with subject headers such as “Look you were filmed all naked!” or “You look just awesome in this movie”. Here’s an example: 

Infection

If the reader clicks on the supplied link, they are directed to another Web site to supposedly watch the clip. After clicking to visit the site, users are shown a message that tells them they need an updated Adobe Systems Flash player. But downloading the software infects the victim’s computer with the virus. Koobface uses the social network’s messaging system to infect PCs, then tries to gather sensitive information such as credit-card numbers or their searches on Google, Yahoo and MSN diverted to fraudulent Web sites.

Removal

Facebook has posted limited instructions on removing the virus on its security page. It suggests resetting your password and running updated anti-virus software to purge the worm from your system. I would advice Facebook users to never opens unexpected e-mail attachments or to click on suspicious links, even if they come from people you trust.