RSS Alerts

Share

More services

Related Links

  • PandaLabs
  • Elsevier Ltd is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Related Stories

  • Panda reviews virus, worm and torjan infections in 2009
    PandaLabs, the anti-malware labs division of Panda Security, has published its 2009 virus yearbook, examining the most intriguing malicious virus,worm and trojan infections to emerge over the last 12 months.
  • PandaLabs ranks most dangerous computer viruses of last 20 years
    PandaLabs has ranked the most dangerous computer threats in the form of viruses of the last 20 years, coinciding with Panda Security’s 20th anniversary.
  • Rogueware is the new cybercrime threat says PandaLabs
    Research just released by PandaLabs claims that a new category of malware has arrived in the information security threats industry. Known as rogueware, the threat has, the company says, become a thriving business area for cybercriminals because the industry is "not even close" to winning the battle to stop it.
  • Panda Security research shows high incidence of malicious email
    Research just released by Panda Security claims that just 8.6 per cent of email that reached companies last year was non-malicious.
  • A Rotting Security Apple?
    Vendors, analysts, and commentators alike have long predicted a surge in malware affecting Apple’s products. Yet, until recently, these prognostications have failed to materialize. Drew Amorosi examines recent malware threats to Apple’s OS X operating system to find out if this is an anomaly, or a sign of things to come

Top 5 Stories

News

Facebook hit by fake virus alert

28 January 2010

Another fake virus alert has reportedly hit users of the Facebook social networking site. According to PandaLabs, the malware research arm of Panda Security, a "massive propagation" has been seen in the last 24 hours for what is another attempt to infect Facebook users with fake antivirus programs.

PandaLabs says that the fake warning is distributed via email and users are forwarding it or publishing it on Facebook walls, so further spreading the virus hoax.

The text of the fake warning reads as:

ALERT >>>>> Has your facebook been running slow lately? Go to `Settings' and select `application settings,' change the dropdown box to `added to profile'. If you see one in there called `Sun named app' delete it Its an internal spybot. Pass it on. about a minute ago. i checked and it was on mine.

The IT security firm says there is no associated link, but if users search the web for more information, they will encounter numerous malicious websites designed to download fake antiviruses.

The fake antivirus – which PandaLabs calls rogueware – in this case is `cold LivePcCare.'

PandaLabs is advising Facebook users not to contribute to the propagation of this fake virus warning, and, as always, to ensure their computers have the latest protection technologies.

"PandaLabs also urges users to run frequent on-demand scans of their computers."

This article is featured in:
Malware and Hardware Security

 

Comment on this article

You must be registered and logged in to leave a comment about this article.

Terms & Conditions |Privacy |Website Design|Reed Exhibitions. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012