Password-Stealing Virus on Facebook
March 23rd, 2010 by adminHackers have been using virus-ridden software to target Facebook user’s passwords in an attempt to steal bank details and other personal information.
The hackers then send an email to the Facebook user stating that their password details on their Facebook account have been reset and the email contains a link or attachment for the user to enter their new login details. If the attachment or link is opened, numerous types of malicious sofatware will be downloaded to that computer.
Facebook user’s have often been the targeted by malicious software as a result of the sites privacy policy, that contains default settings that allow all personal information to be accessible to the entire online world.
Hackers often send infected messages through the social networking site’s own internal email system but are targeting user’s with standard email in this current attack. Facebook has more than 400 million users worldwide.
On Wednesday last week, Facebook updated it’s own status warning of the spoof email, however this will not be seen by the majority of users as status updates can only be seen by those who are friends on the social networking site.
So far the spam emails have been sent to users in Europe, the United States and Asia, with the remainder of the world expected to be targeted throughout the coming week.
Hackers began targeting user’s on Tuesday last week, and there are fears that the hackers will be successful in infecting millions of user’s computers.
According to Dave Marcus of McAfee, the subject line of the email reads, “ Facebook password reset confirmation customer support.”
