The clickable link asks you to download a “fake flash viewer” that contains the file codecsetup.exe to view the video – don’t execute the executable. If you need a flash viewer, go to Macromedia and download the official one. Inside the fake flash viewer is malicious code that contains a botnet. A botnet can send out messages using your email settings, friends list and other account information to propagate the worm itself to all of your associates, friends and family.
I was watching my nephew zoom around Facebook the other day and his dizzying speed of clicking, scrolling and chatting, I got a headache. It just so happened that during that time, Michael Phelps was winning one of his Gold Medals in World Record time. If there was a competition for Facebook surfing, my nephew would have set a new world record then and there.
It didn’t seem that he was doing anything that might be considered “unsafe”, but he was sure enthusiastic about what he was doing. This is probably indicative of the young people that use MySpace and Facebook, lots of friends and multi-tasking. By scrolling, clicking and chatting in super speed, baddies can take advantage of visitors and “slip something in” on one of the links or clickable areas. Please be careful – as they say in automobile jargon, slow down and drive defensively.
Safe Surfing,
Darrell Mishler
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