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Facebook users hit by virus | Facebook users hit by virus |
(10 minutes later) | |
By Dan Whitworth Newsbeat technology reporter | By Dan Whitworth Newsbeat technology reporter |
The virus tricks users by telling them they're in a video | The virus tricks users by telling them they're in a video |
Facebook's 120 million users are being targeted by a virus designed to get hold of sensitive information like credit card details. | Facebook's 120 million users are being targeted by a virus designed to get hold of sensitive information like credit card details. |
'Koobface' spreads by sending a message to people's inboxes, pretending to be from a Facebook friend. | 'Koobface' spreads by sending a message to people's inboxes, pretending to be from a Facebook friend. |
It says "you look funny in this new video" or "you look just awesome in this new video". | It says "you look funny in this new video" or "you look just awesome in this new video". |
By clicking on the link provided they're then asked to watch a "secret video by Tom". | By clicking on the link provided they're then asked to watch a "secret video by Tom". |
When users try and play the video they're asked to download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player. | |
If they do, that's when the virus takes hold and attacks the computer. | If they do, that's when the virus takes hold and attacks the computer. |
Guy Bunker works for Norton AntiVirus and says there are two ways Koobface gets people's credit card details. | Guy Bunker works for Norton AntiVirus and says there are two ways Koobface gets people's credit card details. |
"It can either wait for you to buy something online and just remember the details you type in on your keyboard. | "It can either wait for you to buy something online and just remember the details you type in on your keyboard. |
"Otherwise it can search your computer for any cookies you might have from when you've bought something in the past, and take them from there." | "Otherwise it can search your computer for any cookies you might have from when you've bought something in the past, and take them from there." |
Networking threat | Networking threat |
The Facebook case is the latest example of hackers using social networking sites to try to cash in. | The Facebook case is the latest example of hackers using social networking sites to try to cash in. |
MySpace was targeted by Koobface in August. | MySpace was targeted by Koobface in August. |
Security experts say people are far less suspicious about viruses on sites like Facebook because you need to be a member to log in. | Security experts say people are far less suspicious about viruses on sites like Facebook because you need to be a member to log in. |
Facebook won't give any specifics on how many users have been hit by the virus, only saying it's a small percentage. | Facebook won't give any specifics on how many users have been hit by the virus, only saying it's a small percentage. |
But they have posted some advice on the site about what to do if you come across it. | But they have posted some advice on the site about what to do if you come across it. |
"We're currently helping our users with the recently discovered 'Koobface' worm and phishing sites. | "We're currently helping our users with the recently discovered 'Koobface' worm and phishing sites. |
"If your account has recently been used to send spam, please visit one of the online antivirus scanners from the Helpful Links list, and reset your password." | "If your account has recently been used to send spam, please visit one of the online antivirus scanners from the Helpful Links list, and reset your password." |