New Virus Disguises Itself as a Facebook App
A new virus has been circulating on Facebook, and has so far affected over 10,000 people worldwide. The virus, disguised as an app, tricks users by claiming it can change the color of Facebook profiles. Once clicked on, the Facebook user is unknowingly taken to a phishing website.
Once there, users are asked to watch a tutorial video. If they watch it, the hackers gain access to their profile, information and friends lists. The hackers then spam all of the users’ friends. If the users don’t watch the video, the app will direct PC users to a site that downloads a malicious video player to their computer. For smartphones, the users will receive a notification that their phone is infected by a virus and they need to download an app to get rid of it. However, that notification is a virus itself and once click on will infect the users’ phones.
Luckily, it’s easy to remove the malicious app from computers and smartphones. The user just has to go into their Facebook app settings and delete the app. It’s also advised that affected users change their passwords as an extra precaution, and scan their device with a legitimate antivirus program. If you’re worried you might become a phishing victim, here are a few additional tips!
Change your passwords.
If you believe your account information has been compromised, change your passwords. When changing your passwords though, be sure to do so on a trusted computer.
Install a trustworthy, reputable anti-virus program.
There are a lot of anti-virus programs to choose from, so make sure to get one that’s trustworthy and reliable (like McAfee). It’s worth investing in good anti-spam, anti-malware and antivirus software so that if any suspicious online activity is going on you’ll know right away and be able to deal with it quickly.
Clear your cache and use an updated browser.
Spam popups can store information in your browser’s cache, so it’s important to clear it regularly. Additionally, using an updated browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox keeps your browsing much more secure as older browsers (like Internet Explorer or Netscape) can leave you vulnerable to hackers.
For more information about phishing scams, visit Stratosphere Networks’ Infographic Resource Center.
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