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Koobface virus on Facebook

If you're a Facebook user, be on the lookout for this virus that attempts to trick you into installing malware on your computer.

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Computing | by C.K. Sample III | Fri Dec 5, 2008 8:57AM | 0 comments

Although the "Koobface" virus has been around since August 3 of this year according to Symantec (who seem unaware of the new threat, listing it as Low threat level), it's making the rounds again on Facebook.

The virus preys on your curiousness and cannot infect your computer unless you download a fake installer. Koobface comes via a message from one of your Facebook friends saying something like "You look awesome in this video." If you click the link and leave Facebook, you are taken to a new website where a dialog box pops up telling you that you need to download and install the latest version of Flash player to view the video. Choosing to do so doesn't take you to Adobe's official Flash installation page, but rather installs the virus on your computer.

Remember, be suspicious of any unknown and untrusted websites, or any websites for that matter, that unexpectedly ask you to install software on your computer. Most viruses, like most real world scams, work by someone tricking you into taking an action you shouldn't have taken. 

This story around the web:

Trusted sources:
external link Koobface Virus Still Making The Rounds On… [TechCrunch]
external link Facebook hit by virus [The Inquirer]
external link Facebook infected by 'Koobface' virus [TechRadar: All Latest Feeds]
external link Koobface virus hits Facebook [CNET News.com]
external link Hackers Take Aim at Users of Facebook [NewsFactor Network]
external link Worm uses Google to squirm around Facebook [InfoWorld RSS Feed]

Get more information on topics relating to this story:


Related company news:
Facebook
Related glossary terms:
Malware, virus, Worm
Related devices and services:
Facebook

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