Some 70% more Facebook users have been the target of malware attacks via the site in the past year, and the problem only seems to be getting worse.
This is according to Brett Myroff, CEO of regional Sophos distributor, Sophos SA. He says users of social networking sites need to learn not to fall for the simple yet effective social engineering tricks malware authors are using to gain access to personal data.
“Sophos is warning Facebook users to be wary following a video attack on its users which is designed to infect computers with adware,” says Myroff. He claims thousands have been hit by the attack.
According to Myroff, the malicious post reads: '<name>, this is without doubt the seciest [sic] video ever! :P :P :P Candid Camera Prank [HQ] Length: 3:17'.
“The message is accompanied by what appears to be a movie thumbnail of a woman on an exercise bicycle wearing a short skirt,” explains Myroff.
He warns that clicking on the movie's thumbnail won't play the video, but instead take the user to a Facebook application which states they don't have the correct player software installed to view the video. ”This tries to trick them into installing revenue-generating adware.
“Not only is adware being installed on your computer, but the rogue Facebook application is posting the same message to all of your friends' accounts. Your friends might click on the thumbnail to watch the movie when, to all intents and purposes, it looks like you are the person who sent it to them,” says Myroff.
He states Facebook users hit by the attack are advised not to click on the links or allow the Facebook application to run.
Myroff advises users that have fallen victim to the attack to scan their computer with up-to-date anti-virus software, change their passwords, and review their Facebook application settings. “Also remove whichever Facebook applications were installed during the attack,” he concludes.
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