This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_7773000/7773340.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Facebook users hit by virus | Facebook users hit by virus |
| (1 day 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 class="" href="/1/hi/technology/7732971.stm">Find out how to stay safe online | |
| 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. | 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 Symantec, who make Norton AntiVirus, and says there are two ways Koobface gets people's credit card details. | Guy Bunker works for Symantec, who make 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." |
| Guy Bunker from Symantec says the virus is easy to get rid of. | |
| He said: "You can either just download some anti-virus softrware from the web. Or you can do it yourself. | |
| "Just go to your Windows directory and search for these two files: tmark2.dat and mstre6.exe. | |
| "If you find either of them delete them straight away." |