http://tech.yahoo.com/news/nf/20090305/tc_nf/65095
Well, well, well. Just when you thought it was safe to post that profile….
With Facebook and other social networking media sites being inflicted with viruses, hoaxes, worms and other things that don’t sound like the kind of things you want around – especially in your computer, or being sent “on your behalf” to your friends – doesn’t it make sense to be found the one place people always look – at the top of Google.
Consider that :
Malware authors are investing more energy in Facebook and other social-networking sites because that effort pays off, according to Michael Argast, a security analyst at Sophos. Facebook alone has more than 175 million users, which makes it an attractive target.
So, not only do you need a profile there to be found, now being found there can endanger you, your reputation, your friends, their reputations – which might make sense if it was the only option or a risk you could mitigate and see happening. However, it isn’t, and when you think about the following, it gives one pause on where to rest your internet home(s).
Argast called the Koobface worm a mix of something old and something new. The new is using social networks as a method to spread malware. The old is using fake codec Trojans linked to a saucy video to induce the user to install the malware.
“I would expect to see more attacks on Facebook,” Argast said. “As long as this is a successful propagation method, the bad guys will double down and invest more. They are entirely motivated by financial gain. If it pays, they’ll continue to romp in your social playgrounds.”
