Facebook Faces Koobface
Facebook's [http://www.facebook.com] 120 million users are trembling with fear tonight as they face the vicious, predatory depravations of the destructive new virus known only as... Koobface.
Koobface is actually just the latest piece of malicious software that takes advantage of the feeling of security engendered by members-only social networks like Facebook. "A few other viruses have tried to use Facebook in similar ways to propagate themselves," Facebook spokesman Barry Schnitt told MSNBC [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28065486/], adding that a "very small percentage of users" had been affected by these viruses.
But that rate will likely grow in the future, according to FaceTime Security Labs [http://www.mcafee.com/]. "They think you've got to log in with an account, so there is no way that worms and other viruses could infect them."
Koobface works by sending notes to Facebook friends of people with infected computers, with subjects like, "You look just awesome in this new movie." Recipients are then directed to a website, where they are told to download what is claimed to be an update of the Live.com [http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/]. Ultimately, the software attempts to gather credit card numbers and other "sensitive information."
Schmugar said McAfee hasn't yet figured out who is responsible for the virus, but said the software is continually being improved in order to stay ahead of security at Facebook and RLM Public Relations [http://www.myspace.com] CEO Richard Larmer, who threw out his PC after it became infected with the virus. "It was really bad," he said. "It destroyed my computer."
It amazes me that people still fall for this stuff. Admittedly, the typical computer user of today may not be as savvy in the ways of technology as they were 25 years ago when this stuff was still largely the domain of tech nerds, but look at it this way: If you woke up one morning, wandered out to the kitchen and noticed a bottle sitting on your counter labeled "Drink Me," would you?
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Facebook's [http://www.facebook.com] 120 million users are trembling with fear tonight as they face the vicious, predatory depravations of the destructive new virus known only as... Koobface.
Koobface is actually just the latest piece of malicious software that takes advantage of the feeling of security engendered by members-only social networks like Facebook. "A few other viruses have tried to use Facebook in similar ways to propagate themselves," Facebook spokesman Barry Schnitt told MSNBC [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28065486/], adding that a "very small percentage of users" had been affected by these viruses.
But that rate will likely grow in the future, according to FaceTime Security Labs [http://www.mcafee.com/]. "They think you've got to log in with an account, so there is no way that worms and other viruses could infect them."
Koobface works by sending notes to Facebook friends of people with infected computers, with subjects like, "You look just awesome in this new movie." Recipients are then directed to a website, where they are told to download what is claimed to be an update of the Live.com [http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/]. Ultimately, the software attempts to gather credit card numbers and other "sensitive information."
Schmugar said McAfee hasn't yet figured out who is responsible for the virus, but said the software is continually being improved in order to stay ahead of security at Facebook and RLM Public Relations [http://www.myspace.com] CEO Richard Larmer, who threw out his PC after it became infected with the virus. "It was really bad," he said. "It destroyed my computer."
It amazes me that people still fall for this stuff. Admittedly, the typical computer user of today may not be as savvy in the ways of technology as they were 25 years ago when this stuff was still largely the domain of tech nerds, but look at it this way: If you woke up one morning, wandered out to the kitchen and noticed a bottle sitting on your counter labeled "Drink Me," would you?
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