The Koobface virus has made its way to Twitter and is spreading as users unsuspectingly click the virus’ link attached to the promise of a home video.
The Koobface virus is being distributed in tweets promoting a non-existent home video. If you see it, DO NOT click it.
The computer worm, that has plagued other social networks — including Facebook and MySpace — is fooling users into installing viruses on their computers and then tweeting the malicious link.
After clicking the link, users are directed to what appears to be a YouTube video, the technology Web site Mashable reports. After the page loads, the user is asked to upgrade their Flash player. But instead of getting Flash, they are downloading a virus that could collect sensitive personal information like credit card numbers.
Twitter, in response, said they are suspending accounts found to be sending the bogus messages. Twitter users with suspended accounts are being notified via e-mail.
In short: Don’t ever click a link that doesn’t seem consistent with the user’s particular post pattern. And while it’s difficult to predict exactly what could be a virus, malicious software is often hidden behind misspelled messages or items that promise to share videos.
Fortunately, Mashable has already found a fix on Trend Labs.
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Stop posting about twitter. Posting nonstop about twitter does not make one a techie.
Comment by David — July 13th, 2009 @ 5:51 pm
Thank you for your feedback, David. While I do post somewhat regularly about Twitter, I also post about other potential items of interest — such as operating system advancements, e-media coverage of major events and e-books. Twitter is growing in importance and potential everyday — and the pluses, including best practices, and weaknesses, like viruses, need to be noted. I tried e-mailing you directly but the e-mail did not seem to go through. Please feel to share your future thoughts and story ideas.
Comment by Jamie DeLoma — July 13th, 2009 @ 6:53 pm
Through you championing details. It helped me in my mission
Comment by inertepricy — November 25th, 2009 @ 3:55 pm