Fake Facebook Applications Attack Hit Again

According to security researchers, another assault using fake Facebook applications struck people's computers on May 22, 2010. The assault was similar to the massive attack hit during the 3rd weekend of May 2010, as reported by ComputerWorld on May 22, 2010.

An Australian researcher "Patrik Runald" who also worked for Websense Security said that just like the previous assault, the scam of May 22, 2010 utilized a sex movie to lure end-users, as reported by ComputerWorld on May 22, 2010.

Runald wrote on Websense blog that the scam spread via messages on Facebook that advertised videos titled "Distracting Beach Babes." The video contained a web-link that took to the fake Facebook application.

Anyone, who followed the web-link, found a message that stated - the application should be allowed to access the user's profile and dispatch messages to his contacts. When allowed, the application subsequently told that the user should download the latest edition of a widely used Windows media player namely FLV Player - available for free - to watch the video.

Along with Patrik, Senior Technology Consultant Graham Cluley at Sophos too remarked about the scam.

Cluley said that the new malicious assault hit innumerable Facebook users.

While writing a blog post, he observed that a large number of Facebook users felt too happy to get humorous web-links and scandalous videos from their friends. They would open them without giving second thoughts. Unfortunately, that could result in huge numbers of malicious posts headed towards their contacts on the social network, as reported by Sophos on May 22, 2010.

The Consultant therefore put a question to Facebook users if they really desired such a bombardment released on their behalf.

However, he advised that if the attack hit any user on Facebook, he must erase the incoming felonious message, scan his PC with a proper anti-virus, reset his passwords and re-examine the settings of his Facebook application. Moreover, he should make it a habit not to be too prompt to follow unsolicited web-links or accept unfamiliar applications.

Related article: Fake Spam Mail Announces Australian PM’s Heart Attack

» SPAMfighter News - 6/2/2010