Koobface? And other similar viruses/worms

[mountaintree16]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if someone can contract Koobface (and any other virus/worm/malware) that is put on a users computer via a social networking site such as Myspace/Facebook etc...) just by logging on and using the site or if you actually have to

do something such as click on a link? I used to use MySpace a lot and I still have one, but I barely use it. I have been using Facebook a lot lately, but ever since I learned about Koobface, I have been kind of avoiding it. I'd like to keep using it and myspace as that's how I keep in touch with some people, but if I am at risk for contracting something onto my computer... ugh

I NEVER click on any links on FB (other than the little alerts that pop up to tell you when someone has left you a comment, etc...) and I know all about the links to a YouTube video... bad bad bad to click on.

[exile360]

For the most part you should be safe considering the steps you've taken thus far to secure your PC (like noscript, adblocker, MBAM etc). I don't think you've got much to worry about any more as long as you follow safe guidelines there (like you said, not clicking the ads and such).

[mountaintree16]

Thanks Exile I haven't added AdBlock plus yet or NoScript, but I plan to soon

Do you know if in general if you can get it just by logging onto and using the site? Such as if I signed on on another computer without these protections, or at a friends house, etc... ?

[nosirrah]

Keep in mind there are lots of ways to get the facebook worm that have nothing to do with facebook . Currently I am seeing both the facebook worm and system security rogue install with juts about everything I research so unsafe surfing in general will likely get you one or the other (or both) .

[AdvancedSetup]

If the computer is not running up to date Anti-Virus and up to date Microsoft Security Updates then you're playing with fire by just about any type of surfing and sooner or later you're going to get burned.

Running with an up to date Anti-Virus is a must, using a secondary Anti-Malware product with live protection such as Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a good secondary protection as well.

[yardbird]

The above Two posts are important! Always something going on, I get RSS feeds from The Register, & this was one:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/22/fa...ok_click_fraud/

Keep your updates up-to-date!

[mountaintree16]

@ Nosirrah

Thanks I didn't know that there were ways other than facebook to get the worm. ech.

When you say "I am seeing both the facebook worm and system security rogue install with juts about everything I research", What do you mean by that? By visiting a website or actually installing something?

I hardly surf at all and keep my internet usage to my email, this site, msn.com and other news sites, and a few other sites, due to the huge malware risks on the internet these days, but I do do a little bit of surfing once in a while.

[mountaintree16]

@ AdvancedSetup

Thank you I do keep everything up to date, and I recently purchased Malwarebytes

These things are really scary. Of course FB will be a target because it has millions upon millions of people that use it. ech :/

[Porthos]

Here is another read as well.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Wired/sto...5901&page=1

A good site on a bad day so to speak.

[mountaintree16]

@ yardbird:

Thanks for the link That's a little disturbing.

I don't completely understand though.. are profiles getting hacked and people are clicking on ads or what?

then I saw this link:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/01/mp_facebook_hack/

and this one:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/28/so...ecurity_perils/

and that was just... ugh!

:/

[mountaintree16]

@ Porthos:

Thanks for the links! That is REALLY scary :/ Makes me not want to use the internet at all.... ugh!

[yardbird]

@ yardbird:

Thanks for the link That's a little disturbing.

I don't completely understand though.. are profiles getting hacked and people are clicking on ads or what?

then I saw this link:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/01/mp_facebook_hack/

and this one:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/28/so...ecurity_perils/

and that was just... ugh!

:/

To be completely honest at this point in time, I have not had a chance to read it! I have to many rss feeds, & emails, & open windows...its the truth

EDIT: Looks like hackers & a re-direct quote: "The malicious messages said "Look at this!" and directed surfers to a page containing malware."

[mountaintree16]

@ yardbird

that's fine I was just wondering if you might be able to explain it better to me if you had read it already.

No worries.

[yardbird]

I just read it its not long, just another day... that was unexpected..check it out if you have time...

[mountaintree16]

@ yardbird

I already read the link you gave me, is that what you mean?

check out the link that Porthos gave me... that is scary! No more surfing for me...

[yardbird]

@ mountaintree16

I don't want to discuss politics here on the forum, but a story came out that ABC Programming thx. to our U.S. pres. is now under control of the white house.

I don't know where the story came from I'm sure you can find something on google.

BTW: In the mid 1933+ in Germany, someone did that on radio, JG, minister of propaganda

EDIT: 1st three hits on google --next topic

[mountaintree16]

@ yardbird

the nerve of people using banner ads to hack a computer... that is disgusting.

::grumble grumble::

[yardbird]

@ mountaintree16

PM is ok.... let me not go into that subject on a tech support forum...

[AdvancedSetup]

Thanks

[mountaintree16]

@ yardbird, exactly my thoughts

[yardbird]

@ mountaintree16

see, exactly someone else's thought also.. sorry Advanced Setup...