Can You Get a Virus from Facebook?
Can you get a virus from Facebook? The answer might surprise you. Recently a friend asked for assistance because she was having problems with her computer. As it turns out, her computer was infected with a virus called Koobface that has been spreading through the Facebook community. (If you didn’t realize it already, the word koobface is Facebook turned inside out.)
While Facebook itself doesn’t install any treacherous software onto your computer, you might be tricked into installing the software yourself. The typical scenario is for the virus to send messages from a friend’s compromised account. You receive a link from the person inviting you click on a link to a webpage with an interesting video.
When you visit the site, you are told that your Flash player needs an update before you can view the video. This sounds reasonable so you click the link. When you do, the page installs a virus on your computer.
What real harm can the virus do? Viruses can steal your personal information, including passwords. They can also send spam and viruses from your computer without your knowledge.
How can you protect yourself from virus infection? Here are easy steps:
- Whether on a social networking site or through regular email, suspicious links and attachments, even from friends, should be avoided. My rule of thumb is to never open attachments from someone I don’t know. And if I do know the person, I still don’t open the file unless I am expecting it.
- If you don’t have a virus program, get one. If you already have a virus program, make sure the the virus definitions are updated regularly. For free but decent virus protection software, check out AVG Antivirus that you can download here.
- Turn on phishing protection in your computer’s internet browser software. If you browser does not offer this protection, use one that does.
- Be wary of free programs that you can download from the web, especially those that offer to scan your computer for viruses.
- Think twice before you install Facebook applications that have access to your (and your friends) profile information.
For more information on the Koobface virus, visit the McAfee site here.
