Experts are warning Internet users against Koobface computer virus targeting popular social networking sites in the run up to Christmas. It is said that Facebook users are most at risk from a variant of the Koobface virus, which comes in disguise as a festive greetings video, hosted on YouTube.
The new virus is “particularly nasty” and encourages victims to participate manually in creating a new Facebook account to help spread the worm. The attacks work by posting malevolent links on Facebook pages. It invites users to click on the Christmas card videos, which takes control of the PC to the attackers.
Internet security company Panda Security has been tracking the latest variant of the Koobface worm from its labs in Spain. “There is no doubting that this latest attack represents a serious threat to social networkers,” Sky News quoted company's UK managing director Peter Lautin as saying.
“If someone runs the infected file on their Facebook or MySpace page, the worm will automatically log in to their account and several other social networking sites, sending malicious messages to all their friends,” said Lautin.