Most Dangerous Facebook Virus Unleashed

It’s called the “Koobface” virus. It comes through a message or wall posting on Facebook from one of your friends inviting you to check out a YouTube-like video.

The subject or message will read as:

“You look funny in this new video”
“You look just awesome in this new video”
“Secret video by Tom”
“LOL. You’ve been caught on hidden cam, yo”
“Paris Hilton Tosses Dwarf on the Street”
“Examiners Caught Downloading Grades from the Internet”
“You must see it!!! LOL. My friend caught you on hidden cam”
“Is it really celebrity? Funny Moments”
“LOL, your blushing face is so funny! Check out”

How does the Koobface Virus Get from Facebook to your Computer?

Don’t click on the link! It will prompt you to update your Flash player for the video to be displayed. What you are really doing when you accept the fake update is allowing the virus to be installed onto your computer. It will use a fake file name of “flash_player.exe” or “codecsetup.exe.” Then according to Kaspersky Antivirus Lab, “the worms transform victim machines into zombie computers to form botnets.” In other words, it’s a malware installation where it installs a Trojan software on your computer, then uses your Facebook account to send more of these messages to your friends to spread the virus.

How do you protect yourself from the Facebook Koobface virus and other viruses?

1. Run an up to date anti-virus software. If you don’t want to shell out money for the big names like McAfee, Symantec, or Norton, try this free AVG anti-virus which works just as well.
2. Keep your Microsoft Windows updated with their security patches, which come out every few weeks. Microsoft Security Central will have more information.
3. Have a software and hardware firewall. It’s only necessary to have one or the other, but if you’re not sure if you have a firewall activated on your router, I would install a software firewall as well. ZoneAlarm firewall has a free software for Windows users.
4. Keep your spyware in check with Spybot – Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware. This will keep your computer running a lot better and in tip top shape.
5. Only update your Flash player from the Adobe Flash Player website. This will ensure that you are not installing a virus on your machine.