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Virus on Facebook

Details here via BBC

Just goes to show that the spammers/scammers will use any medium – email, IM, Facebook, MySpace, Filesharing and Torrents -  to try and infect the dumb users on the net.

To get this virus you need to:

  1. Open a Facebook message (probably from someone you don’t know)
    The title is “you look funny (or ‘awesome’) in this new video” 
    I mean, wouldn’t you know if you had been videoed???
  2. Click on a link that says “secret video by Tom” 
    You know Tom your best mate who videoed you – yeah right
  3. Click on a prompt to download a ‘new version of Adobe Flash’
  4. Sit back and watch yourself get infected

My point is you need to break the sensible rules of internet usage not 1 but 3 times to get this virus. Maybe those who get it deserve it.

For those who might not know:

  1. Don’t open email or messages from people you don’t know
  2. Don’t just do it anyway cause like your antivirus software is really good and that
  3. Don’t open any attachments to emails or links in messages unless you were expecting to get an attachment for a legitimate reason. And make sure you have ‘Hide extensions for know file types’ turned off in Windows so you can really see what the attachments are
    To do this: Open windows explorer or MY computer, Click Tools menu, Go to folder options, Go to view, Uncheck the ‘Hide extensions’ option in the list
  4. Don’t click on links for program updates you didn’t ask for deliberately. If you think your Flash or other program needs an update run the ‘check for update’ function built into the program or else type/Google the programs website and download the update directly. This ensures you are getting a legitimate version. Reputable download sites like FileHippo.com or Download.com are ok too
2 comments
Jan 02, 2009
App said...
I noticed a long time ago that with Flash/Shockwave/Java, if you get an update notice while your browser is open and dismiss it without downloading/installing, close your browser & reboot, the notice will come back again without your browser being open, with a balloon from a tray icon.

So if you get a popup asking you to update, don't update and just close the browser and reboot. If it's real, you'll get another opportunity. It's never imperative to update "right this minute". There is always time to reboot.
Jan 03, 2009
Matt Dell said...
Thanks App
yes there are a number of ways that auto-updating programs can load without prior warning - Java runtimes plus iTumes/Quicktime are two of the worst. because of this behaviour typical users think it's ok to click OK on these things and therefore admit virii etc
I always recommend disbling/uninstalling any of these auto-update processes - it frees resources too which God knows in Vista we all need

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Mulligrubs Computer Club

Mulligrubs Computer Club

Mulligrubs is a computer user group based in Ulladulla NSW Australia. We meet monthly and help computer users to learn new ways to use technology and to help troubleshoot any problems they may have. This site is run and maintained by Matt Dell - www.noblejoker.com

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