Four new hoax applications on Facebook are attempting to trick members and get their usernames and passwords. Attackers also steal the identities of the friends, fans and brands that connect though the social-networking site.

New variant of worm called Koobface is running wild on the Facebook site installing malware on the computers of victims who click on a link to a fake YouTube video.

The Koobface worm is is very dangerous. When visiting malicious Web sites It can be dropped by other malware and downloaded unknowingly by a user. After executing malware it searches for cookies created by online social networks.

It transform the victim’s computer into a zombie for malicious purposes. Koobface compose a message which contains a link to a Web site where a copy of the worm can be downloaded by unsuspecting friend and send it to the user’s friends. The cycle repeats itself.

Michael Argast, a security analyst at Sophos said:
“I would expect to see more attacks on Facebook. As long as this is a successful propagation method, the bad guys will double down and invest more. They are entirely motivated by financial gain. If it pays, they’ll continue to romp in your social playgrounds.”

Argast also said that people can protect themselves by running up-to-date any of antivirus programs.

So, maybe it is cruel but, I will start to think that this can be another propaganda of antivirus companies to increase selling in this crisis times. But, maybe I am wrong. Who knows…

Tags | Computers, Security, Social Network, Technology News