Dec 5, 2008 4:19 pm US/Eastern
'Koobface' Virus Roughing Up Facebook Users
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Facebook users are falling prey to a virus that has been plaguing MySpace users for a few months.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Facebook users are falling prey to a virus that has been plaguing MySpace users for a few months.
The virus, called "Koobface" spreads through e-mail messages.
The e-mail will look like it comes from one of your Facebook friends, but it doesn't. If you open it, it will ask you to click a link to view a video. When you try to view the video, the Web site will ask you to upgrade your video player by downloading a file. That file is Koobface and if you download it, it will infect your entire computer.
The virus takes over all of your Web surfing, directing you to unsecure Web sites. When you try to use common search engines like Google or Yahoo, it then steals your identity through passwords and credit card numbers.
So how can you avoid being infected with Koobface or any other virus?
For one thing, don't download any files you're not 100 percent sure of.
Always be wary of files ending in ".exe" as this is an executable file that downloads software on your computer.
Keep your spyware programs up to date.
Keep in mind that Mac and Linux users are not prone to this virus but still should not click the links anyway.
What can you do if you think you have it?
Change all of your passwords immediately from another computer. If you use the infected computer, the hackers monitoring Koobface will have your new passwords as well as your old passwords.
Use your antivirus scanner. If its finds anything suspicious, that should raise a red flag.
And finally to get rid of a virus, call an expert.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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