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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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The Next Big Viral Thing on Facebook: a Virus

"Koobface" spreads disguised as a friend's message

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(Newser) – Once an unfriendly place for spammers and malware, Facebook today is dealing with a virus circulating among its 120 million users, the LA Times reports. “Koobface” comes disguised as a message from a friend with a subject like “You look so amazing funny on our new video,” then links users to a YouTube-like site that asks them to download "updated"—actually, infected—video software.

"Unfortunately, users are very trusting of messages left by 'friends' on social networking sites," said a security expert. "So the likelihood of a user clicking on a link like this is very high."

In this undated image provided by Facebook is shown a page featuring the social networking site's new look.
In this undated image provided by Facebook is shown a page featuring the social networking site's new look.   (AP Photo/Facebook)
In this Feb. 5, 2007 file photo, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg poses at his office in Palo Alto, Calif.
In this Feb. 5, 2007 file photo, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg poses at his office in Palo Alto, Calif.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)
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Unfortunately, users are very trusting of messages left by 'friends' on social networking sites. So the likelihood of a user clicking on a link like this is very high.
- Alexander Gostev, security analyst at Kaspersky Lab

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Shannonals
Dec 5, 08 4:08 PM CST
Facebook has always had problems, especially with it's applications Reply
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PaleRider
Dec 5, 08 9:40 PM CST
It's Obama's fault. Reply
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"Koobface" attacks Facebook users with friendly disguise
Times (UK)

With Facebook growing, viral infection was only a matter of time
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