Woman Video in Facebook Scam is Really Virus, Warns BitDefender

One fresh Facebook scam, presently disseminating, disguised as a tempting female video, however, distributes one PC-virus indulging in theft of personal data, cautions BitDefender.

According to BitDefender, an online security company, Facebook members require remaining alert of a web-link, which appears as one female video, but actually delivers one PC-virus which filches personal data. The virus, understandably, is creation of cyber-criminals in Albania.

Moreover, appearing as one YouTube video, the web-link if followed takes the user onto sites which attempt at planting the malware disguised as a Flash update from Adobe.

Catalin Cosoi, Chief Security Strategist at BitDefender explains that more than 20,000 distinct URLs have been set up which divert victims onto malware-laden sites as well as a bogus tempting movie on YouTube depicting one female in front of a webcam stripping off her clothes. Theguardian.com published this, July 21, 2014.

Cosoi further says that the movie clip plays for just about two seconds for luring men watchers into clicking the web-link. The malware authors also give a false number of visits to the video suggesting that as many as 1m-or-more users watched it.

The scammers also acquired access to the keys for 60-or-more bit.ly Application Programming Interface (API) which let production of shortened web-links utilized during disseminating fraud on Facebook. The popular URL-condensing facility bit.ly has been informed regarding scammers' abuse of the same.

In the meantime, the bogus update for Flash Player in reality represents a Trojan family which BitDefender identified as Trojan.Agent.BDYV. When executed, it loads one password-protected zipped file onto the infected computer along with one .BAT file, which subsequently delivers an executable via the provision of the required password code to unzip the archive.

BitDefender further explains that as the Trojan is capable of accessing data from users' browsers, it targets twenty buddies simultaneously on Facebook and inserts advertisement facilities into their web-pages. This way the scam's longevity increases. Besides, members can't also remove the posts from their pages which spread the malevolent diversions.

According to BitDefender, the data-filching virus requires Firefox/Chrome Web-browsers to function.

In an advisory, Cosoi recommends subscribers to be careful prior to viewing Facebook videos. Besides, they must maintain up-to-date AV along with other software, while caution friends who maybe in danger of getting victimized with the said virus.

» SPAMfighter News - 7/30/2014