Unwanted Facebook Applications Deploying Adware

As per reports available, Facebook is pushing undesirable software programs, with some deploying adware or are being appended to various members' profiles without their consent, as per the news published by The Register on May 6, 2010.

The security researchers noted that the social network quietly appends applications to user profiles each time the user enters his login credentials as well as browses specific websites. Besides, Facebook shows no notification window or dialog box seeking consent, and also there isn't any convenient method for getting out of it.

Another report by Gadi Evron, a security researcher working independently, finds that malicious sources are using Facebook to distribute adware like the FLV Direct media player, reported The Register on May 6, 2010. Moreover, anti-virus firm Sunbelt Software's researchers stated that the application came packaged with adware whose source was so-called Zugo Search.

Apparently, the applications are associated with Facebook's most recent sharing facilities as well as tools. Websites that are now discarding this trail are said to bear Facebook integration. These include some highly reputed ones like The Washington Post, New York Magazine, CNET, the Gawker blog network, TechCrunch, etc.

Nevertheless, there is no clear indication regarding the type of information these software programs are designed to extract out of member profiles or to feed into Facebook in return. Also, the programs aren't automatically visible to contacts browsing the profile section,but when users visit the profile page of any of the applications, they will find all those contacts who too have that application deployed.

Remarking about the tactic that the cyber miscreants have used, security researchers stated that similar to throwing web-domains broadly across the Net, criminals currently seemed to throw software across Facebook. They introduced certain software for enticing users and thereby infecting them, and no sooner Facebook took it down, they brought in one more, the experts explained.

Notably, Facebook is trying to destroy all the web-links to the adware programs. However, given that there are over one million developers, the efficacy of this strategy seems somewhat doubtful since Facebook allows anyone to develop an application easily and openly.

Related article: Unauthorized Patch by Researcher Posts Threat for Microsoft

» SPAMfighter News - 5/18/2010