3 Mistakes That Allow the Koobface Virus to Spread Through Facebook

Like many people these days, you probably use Facebook by now. And anything that is popular on the internet is a ripe target to be exploited by viruses and malware. One recent exploit is a worm called Koobface. Sadly, we still continue to check-in infected computers on a daily basis, mostly with Fake Antivirus Programs, but what does that have to do with Facebook? While you think you may have been playing it safe, most anyone can fall victim to the socially clever ways the bad guys use to get you to click that malicious link. Read on to see how you might have been a victim to this process.

If you use Facebook, be on the watch for an automated email message that displays something insulting or embarrassing about you such as: "You look funny in this video." or "You look so stupid in this picture." They might even "appear" to come from a social networking friend you know, which makes it all the more tempting to click on. But once you click the message, it takes you to a video which needs a plug in to play, so you are automatically prompted to download an infected flash player file so you can view the video... BAAAAMMM!!

First and Second Mistakes

Clicking the link to see the embarrassing video of yourself was the first mistake. Being deceived "again" into downloading the infected flash player file was the second mistake. Now the infection is on autopilot, mutating your computer into a "zombie" as some call it.

If you were unlucky enough to download this infected file, you probably just exposed yourself to the Koobface worm. It's job is to download more software which hijacks your PC. It can even hijack search results from search engines such as Google and Yahoo to redirect you to websites selling malicious software... such as a Fake Antivirus Program. This type of malware has been around for several years and is reported to be a $34 million/month business worldwide.

We generally don't have customers coming in to our shop saying they got the "Facebook Virus", although a few know that something they did with Facebook is what precipitated the problem. By the time we see the computer, the problem has complicated itself into multiple infections. They might even have believed the warnings from the unknowingly Fake Antivirus Program and purchased it in hopes that it would fix the problem... but then it just got worse and they were out of $79 or so. They would go on to spend between $100 - $200 more dollars to a computer shop before the nightmare would end.

Third Mistake

The 3rd mistake was actually their first, lack of prevention. They used "hope" protection while surfing the internet, meaning "I hope I don't get a virus". While there is no software out there that offers 100% protection (other than internet abstinence) you can get pretty close to it for a modest amount of money and some internet street smarts.

Prevention as a Solution

As for Facebook, beware of phony Facebook emails. As a rule, I never click on links in a Facebook email, even if I pretty much trust it. I prefer to login with my own bookmark or favorite link. And if you want to play it safe when automatically prompted to download a plugin to listen to audio or view a video, do a little homework to find the actual author's website to download the plugin. For example, you can manually download Flash and Shockwave players directly from Adobe's homepage, instead of clicking on some automatic prompt while on Facebook or some other website.

As for security software, you should know what brand and name of software you have installed, so when you get a security alert, you know whether it is fake or not. Sadly, I still find that most computer users are either using basic free protection or expired protection, and some none at all!

Do I Need To Repeat the Usual Advice?

Don't go cheap on your internet security! Use top-tier antivirus, antispyware, and firewall software and keep them updated, and install the latest Windows Security Updates. You know... the usual advice. In my experience you will have to use products from more than one company. While many reputable antivirus vendors have all-in-one Internet Security Suites, they don't bat a 1000 in each category. Aside from relying on software products to protect your online lives, get pro-active and sharpen your eyes for these exploits, caution goes a long way. And by all means, "everyone" who uses the internet in your household (not just Mom and Dad) need to exercise this caution, so share the tips and tricks you learn and practice them each and every time you surf the internet.

Facebook Security Information

By the way, Facebook has posted numerous security alerts and information about Facebook Privacy Settings, Fake Notification Emails, Suspicious Posts and Messages, Money Transfer Scams, the Koobface Worm, and False Chain Letters at http://www.facebook.com/security. Also, whenever a program you login to has been compromised, be sure to change you

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