Mar 06 2009
New Virus Affecting Facebook Accounts
According to the website switched.com, there is a new virus that is harmful Facebook accounts. It’s a Facebook “Koobface” virus. Once you have the virus on it takes over your Facebook account and affects your profile page. Once the virus does that, your friends’ pages will get affected too. I don’t use Facebook, but I do know people who do use it. I wanted to pass this info along in case you all have a Facebook account.
In October 2008, it was reported that the virus Koobface surfaced. You click on the link to racy videos that you had to download and that’s how you got the virus on your computer. Unfortunately, it’s still around and the people who are spreading the virus are getting smarter about it. Now it’s being disguised by emails from friends. Here is a quote about what the virus is doing to computers now:
The basics are still the same: It’s still shown as a link to a supposed video that prompts you to install a new version of Adobe’s Flash player, the most common format used for Web videos. These days, though, that ambush page is a lot sneakier, showing the profile picture of the user whose compromised profile got you in the mess in the first place, and making the whole scam look more genuine. If you install the downloaded file, the virus will look into the stored information on your computer from Facebook, compromise your profile, and send itself to all your friends — likely making them a little less than thrilled with you.
It can’t be stressed enough that you should be careful what you open. You shouldn’t open emails from people you are not familiar with. You also shouldn’t open anything that has video attachments even if it’s from someone you know because their account could have been affected by the virus. You should delete videos unless you know for a fact that the person doesn’t have the virus on their computer. I try not to open too many emails that require me to download things. I don’t want to take the chance that it has a virus attached to it. I hope that you all don’t get affected by the virus.
and I just joined today…good thing for firewalls.
Yeah…think of it as just a basic math problem. If someone thinks 1 is a lonely number try 0…when you add to that in that list in your head,, or paper you add a lot to yourself. And people really do see a change.
Hmmm i did not know that,,,
thanks for sharing
Thanks, I am on Facebook, but seldom go on. I never download anything, NOW for sure I won’t ever. I will pass this along.
I don’t download anything either for this same fear. Thank you for the warning!
Thanks for the info. Do you know any more about the antivirus product you recommended?
Excellent information. I don’t use Facebook but MANY of my friends do. I’ll pass this info along. Thanks.