Koobface Facebook Virus

[trix]

FACEBOOK USERS BE WARNED!!!!! DON'T CLICK LINKS SENT BY YOUR FRIENDS LIST!!!!

 

 

WORM LOOKS IN THR FORM LIKE THIS;

 

hey, i just made a photoshop of you, check it out : bit.ly/dTSbiZ

 

There are several differnet ways its sent and spread DON'T click links, this will come from a friend you may talk to daily, they just aren't aware that its being done they need to disinfect their pc. change PW. and D/L update and run a full sysytem scan of this program, Good luck be safe AND DON'T CLICK LINKS!!!!!

 

Run your anti virus w/ updated definitions, suggest using Avira, Avast,or AVG

 

http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol;1

 

 

 

 

 

 

The koobface Facebook virus has the potential to reap havoc on your computer and alienate Facebook friends by hijacking your email and spreading the Koobface virus. Follow these steps to protect your computer from the Koobface Facebook virus.

 

 

 

WHAT IS IT: The Facebook virus, Koobface, is a worm that replicates through social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. It first made an appearance back in August, and has shown a resurgence in early December. It arrives in the form of a message from one of your Facebook friends, containing a link to a video with a message encouraging you to download it. Reports of messages linking to the Koobface virus include the following:

 

• Paris Hilton Tosses Dwarf On The Street

 

• Examiners Caught Downloading Grades From The Internet

 

• You must see it!!! LOL.

 

• My friend catched you on hidden cam

 

• Is it really celebrity?

 

• Funny Moments

 

• You look so amazing funny on our new video

 

If you click on the link to the video, you will be taken to a remote site that sometimes mimics YouTube's format. You will then get a message that you must install a plugin which is sometimes called "video codec" and sometimes indicates that you need to install an updated Flash player. When you install the plug-in, you're actually installing the Koobface virus.

 

 

 

WHAT IT DOES: Koobface's first order of business will be to attempt to spread itself by infecting all of your Facebook friends. It does this by downloading an executable file called tinyproxy.exe which reads the cookies on your computer, identifies your friends list, and sends them infected messages like the ones described above. In addition to spreading itself, Koobface interferes with your internet navigation by linking you to lesser-known search engines whenever you attempt to conduct a search on larger sites such as Google or MSN.

 

 

 

HOW TO PREVENT IT: No rocket science here. The Koobface virus is easily stopped by simply never downloading files unless you have complete confidence in their origin. If you receive a suspicious email, delete it without clicking any links. If you think it might be a legitimate email, but aren't sure, email or phone your friend to ask.

 

 

 

HOW TO GET RID OF IT: While it is possible to manually extract the virus (see instructions below), most experts recommend using a virus scan. MacAfee and Norton Antivirus Software are both equipped to take care of the issue.

 

 

 

THE WORM: A worm is actually a particular type of virus. Unlike the standard virus, worms do not need human interaction to spread. They stand alone and do not need to attach themselves to an executable file. Instead, they can replicate themselves and then spread to other systems. Many worms are designed to tap into your saved email addresses and send themselves to everyone on your contact list. For this reason, it's a good idea to make the first contact on your list a fake, such as the name AAA AAAA at the email address AAA@AAA.org. That way, if a worm taps into your contacts and attempts to spread itself, you'll get a delivery error email from AAA AAAA, and you'll know to address the problem! Worms don't typically attack your computer directly, but by flooding your contact lists, and then your contact's contact lists, etc., they can very quickly consume all available bandwidth and create a network jamming mess!

 

 

[imiubu]

Thank you trix.

Just one more reason not to be

on farcebook, the evil succubus!

[trix]

Just thought I'd share cause there are millions of users, there are mostly novice users on Facebook. and may just don't know any better, but anyone that uses FB, I suggest running your anti, as well as a malware program.. I have d/l'd and currently using the one provided in the previous post, it appears to be safe, and reliable on my end been running for a little over a hour and yes, I d/l'd that nasty FB bug, to find a way to get rid of it safely. malware program has the named virus in quarantine, so looks like this program was successful, and FB users its wise to have a secondary PW that you can change your pw to, do it often to prevent future heart ache.

 

These bugs spread like wildfire, once the match has been struck... I know this one is devastating many users still, There is one that goes after your friends list, then you pass it like herpes then they spread and they have NO CLUE they are sending it to everyone on their lists until eventually its a plague.

 

Just looking out for my fellow PT's, sorry but Its just one more thing we have to worry about, I understand the feeling, but I have to share the info or people will suffer even more due to sneaky rat bastodd's that have nothing better than mess up others lives to entertain themselves..

 

Good luck ,becareful who and what your trust.

 

Trix

[Guest 1TokeOverLine]

From ComputerSpot.net:

 

Koobface is a worm, and is not actually a new problem. It has been around for some time, but is becoming increasingly prevalent because of the number of people who now use the social networking sites.

 

Infection is via a link on the profile of one of your friends-or it might be sent to you via private message or be posted on your profile. Because the link is from a friend, and this encourages trust, and leads to many people clicking the link. A video then plays which contains the Koobface worm hidden within, which silently installs itself onto your computer without telling you.

 

It then searches your cookies on your computer. These are small files that contain your login information and other visit information to many sites.

 

Your username and password will be contained within, and when the worm finds the cookies for your social networks, it takes the information and logs into your account as you. It then sends on the links to your friends, and posts it onto your profile so that it can be spread to your friends as well.

 

Once on your computer it hijacks certain files. It will cause any searches that you perform to be routed through its own servers so that it can show you links that it wants you to visit, rather than the ones that you really want.

 

Most commonly the first link that it shows you will send you to another, dangerous site. These secondary sites will contain viruses or other malware, thus drastically increasing the risks of damage to your computer.

 

One of the more troublesome aspects of Koobface is that it blocks your access to the websites that offer tools that remove it, such as antivirus websites. This self protection may prevent people from getting help, and so the situation gets worse-ultimately their computer can become what is known as a Zombie-or a member of a botnet (a network of computers that are linked together and cause cyber crimes).

 

Keeping your antivirus software up to date is an important part of protecting yourself from the Koobface virus, as is a common sense approach. It is important to not click on links on your friend’s profiles that you are unsure of.

 

Unfortunately, though they will try, many antivirus programs don’t do well at removing Koobface. Instead a program called Malwarebytes should be used. This is not an all purpose antivirus program and so should not be relied upon (instead requiring you to also run an antivirus program), but will remove certain items of destructive malware such as this.

 

More importantly it does not run in real time-instead you need to load it up and run it when it is convenient to you. It also does not auto-update, and so users should cultivate the habit of updating and running it daily.

 

When used correctly, Malwarebytes is a wonderful piece of software that can help provide essential protection for your computer.

 

http://computerspot.net/the-koobface-virus/

 

It has spread to twitter, flickr, and facebook.

 

A variant called Knob Face installs and uses tinyurl.exe.

 

1T