Today is National Internet Security day, so it’s pretty apt that a new Facebook virus is going round that’ll tag your gran’s name into porn videos. Or your mum. Or your boss.
Basically, if you click on a hot ’n’ heavy video on Facebook, the virus will immediately tag random friends, which then shows up on their friends’ newsfeeds in an attempt to trick them into clicking.
Over 100,000 people have already been infected/affected by the Trojan, with Mohammed Fagani, a researcher, writing on Full Disclosure: ‘In the new technique, which we call ‘Magnet’, the malware gets more visibility to potential victims as it tags the friends of the victim. The tag may be seen by friends of the victim’s friends as well, which leads to a larger number of potential victims.’
Before watching the video, users will be asked to download additional software – and that’s how it attacks their computer.
‘A video link that suddenly needs additional software is almost certainly a bait-and-switch scam. You’re promised X but that’s just so the crooks can foist Y on you. If you can’t resist the initial bait, at least avoid the switch,’ security software vendor Sophos told the Metro.
‘Take the time to review your Facebook privacy and security settings. That way, if you do make a blunder on Facebook, you will probably limit the effects on other people (and on your own reputation).’
So what can you do if you get tagged? Simply untag yourself, to protect both you and everyone your friends with on Facebook, and don’t download any software. If we all did this, then the virus would start disappearing from everyone’s newsfeed and we could all rest easy:
Simple. Now try explaining the above to your grandma.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.