Security company Sophos is warning Facebook users against sharing a fake virus warning that is currently circulating on the site.
The warning is against a Christmas tree application, and although it is possible for a rogue application with this name to be created, Sophos is unaware of any malicious code presently using this ruse.
Typical messages that are being shared widely on Facebook read:
"WARNING!!!!!!.....DO NOT USE THE Christmas tree app. on Facebook. Please be advised it will crash your computer. Geek squad says it's one of the WORST trojan-viruses there is and it is spreading quickly. Re-post and let your friends know. THANKS PLEASE REPOST!"
According to Brett Myroff, CEO of regional Sophos distributor, Sophos SA, it is likely that this hoax will spread much faster than any of the genuine commonly encountered Facebook viruses at the moment.
He advisers users to avoid sharing virus warnings with their friends, until they have been confirmed by a credible source.
“Malware can be killed off fairly easily, but misinformation like this can live on for months, if not years, because people believe they are doing the right thing by sharing the warning with their friends."
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