Worms Everywhere!!!

As much as we all love our social networks, we are also well aware that they are prime targets of people engaged in cyber crimes. These cybercriminals are often crafty enough to go undetected, pass through online security measures and lure users to clicking their seemingly harmless links. Often worm and virus links engage in spam attacks that can flood user profiles with links, some even coming from people on their friends list. Here are some of the latest Twitter and Facebook spam attacks that can compromise a user’s online safety.

Who’s Stalking You on Facebook – this hard to resist app offers people the most coveted knowledge of finding out who is looking at their profile. This app first appeared in 2009 and has resurfaced early this year. The link often comes from hacked accounts, sending spam messages to their friends list.  Normally it would say something like “Cool, man I cannot believe that you can see who is viewing your profile. I just saw my top 10 profile stalkers and I am SHOCKED that my Ex is still viewing my profile” or something similar and would ask users to click on a shortened link. This would then lead them to a survey site that contains malware. Another link “Click da’button baby” would lead users to a seemingly harmless site, but in fact it is a worms that creeps through user profiles containing a java script that reads all their contact information. This will allow the said application to infect more accounts. Why do cybercriminals do this? Money, they get to earn a certain amount every time someone clicks on their links.

Facebook Koobface – this virus comes in many forms, from repeated password change alerts to multiple spam wall posts. The Koobface virus tries to install Trojan software that can basically paralyze infected computers. To find out if you are exposed, log in to Facebook, then go to your task manager check for the following processes; fbtre6.exe and mstre6.exe.  These should not be running on your computer end these processes and run a security scan on your computer right away. Further steps are often needed such as going to the registry, but because of the registry’s sensitive nature it is recommended that you contact online tech support if this happens.

Tweet Viewer – this worm is also related to the Facebook stalker app that claims to tell users who’s been lurking on their Twitter page. The link leads to Tweet Viewer and asks users to grant it access to their profile. As of now there have been no reports of malware from the link except for the nuisance it creates at about 150 tweets per minute. If you have already fallen victim to something like this the best course of action is to revoke permission to the app by going to Settings>Connection>Revoke Access. One more online safety measure to take is to reset your password.

Twitter Fake Anti-Virus – the fake anti-virus link is spreading through Twitter with the use of goo.gl, Google’s link shortener. The link leads users to a “Security Shield” online security solution. This is a fake virus protection that in fact contains a rouge application.  Twitter has released a statement that they are already trying to block the source of the spam tweets, however people should still be careful and immediately delete these tweets when they receive them.

ABOUT MY TECH TEAM:
My Tech Team is a leading online tech support company based in the U.S, providing nationwide on demand enterprise level computer support and protection 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

 
Would you be so kind to share this post? Use the buttons below.

You Might Also Like...

• Twitter Spam Collects Mobile Numbers
• Social Networking Viruses
• Facebook’s Beacon Lawsuit for Privacy Violations
• Using Facebook and Twitter Safely
• Tips to Social Networking Success