Facebook Faces Koobface

[Andy Chalk]

But not the power of human stupidity.

 

[stompy]

Once, on a relative's computer, I was sent a message through MSN that asked for some image to be downloaded... it was a reflex, but luckily, their anti-virus program got it.

Anyways, I hate those kind of viruses... I'd probably click on it, not because I wouldn't know it's a virus, but because it's an automatic reflex, and by the time I'd have thought it out, my computer would be infected.

 

[Radelaide]

RLM Public Relations 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."

Seriously? I mean, seriously? He threw out his PC because he got a virus? Would he throw out his car if he got a flat tire too?

I mean, assuming he knew nobody at all that had any idea how to fix the mysterious blinky box, he could even have taken it to Best Buy and they'd have fixed it.

I hope he at least donated it, or sold it to someone who could fix it, instead of tossing it into a landfill somewhere.

Unfortunately Richard Larner could not be reached for comment due to shooting himself in the head once he realized he had contracted a mild flu.

"Whoops, stubbed my toe. Better take the whole leg, just in case I catch the Plague."

 

[SecretTacoNinja]

Haha, I hate social networking.

I completely agree. My wife uses Myspace and it probably the most annoying crap I have ever seen.

XD
Everyone at my college goes on about Facebook and Myspace and all that crap, it's kind of nice to see them punished for it.

 

[Dogstile]

gah, these virus's are a danger to us non-braindeads too, my brother managed to download one of these things

 

[Gildan Bladeborn]

With infections like this one, it's hard to be particularly sympathetic to those impacted by it, because the vector relies on human stupidity. Victims of worms or malicious websites that don't require you to do anything other than visit them with vulnerable software running are a lot easier to find some empathy for.

Seriously, how do people not know by now to be skeptical whenever strange messages asking you to install things show up?

 

[happysock]

To be honest if you fall for that kind of thing you deserve for it to happen to you. Anyway I'm just waiting for the money I won from the Spanish national lottery to be transferred into my account should be any day now, which is funny because I don't remember even buying a tick... O wait.

 

[IrrelevantTangent]

Good thing I have nothing but negative feelings towards Facebook, then. My computer's buggy enough as is. It doesn't need the electronic equivalent of the swine flu virus.

 

[Jandau]

I'm not suprised. A lot of people who use Facebook know next to nothing about computers, viruses or security. Some of them try to keep an open mind towards things they don't understand, and then they get duped like this.

 

[RelexCryo]

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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I think a lot of people would assume that bottle of drink me was left there by their significant other or their children. And yes, they would drink it.