Facebook hit by password stealing virus

Popular anti-virus company McAfee is reporting today that Facebook has become the target of a virus that aims to steal passwords and other sensitive information from the social network's 400 million users.

The virus comes via spam emails that state that users Facebook accounts have had their passwords reset. You are then urged to click on an attachment to "obtain new login credentials." Once opened, the attachment unleashes a group of trojans, including a password stealing software.

"This threat is potentially very dangerous considering that there are over 350 million Facebook users who could fall for this scam," adds McAfee.

For those who are scared of the virus, the email is titled "Facebook Password Reset Confirmation! Customer Support." Delete it immediately.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 18 Mar 2010 2:07

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33 comments

Dragon3000

I had one of those emails last night. I did open the email out of interest but it was obvious that it was a scam. I did however reply to the email with, 'shut up'.

I hope that by replying to the email I haven't unleashed those pesky trojans.

What a rubbish world we live in.

18.3.2010 03:59 #1

Deadrum33

They should make a trojan that specifically hits those Farmville idiots...

http://www.myspace.com/livingdeadband

18.3.2010 04:04 #2

Josipher

Originally posted by Deadrum33: They should make a trojan that specifically hits those Farmville idiots... amen brother

mods go home

18.3.2010 04:48 #3

iamgq

DAMN!!!

True thug Afterdawn memeber since 05! Shout out to all those old school member still in the ranks of Newbie! Represent!

18.3.2010 06:33 #4

pinny121

I also had the email

it did not go to my spam folder, so I opened it and saw Facebook were asking me to run an executable .exe file on my computer.

Must be a fishing trip (by not a hacker a tosser) I thought and quickly totally deleted it no trash bin for this file bye bye.

18.3.2010 10:01 #5

Tom (unverified)

One of my work colleges got this email and opened it.

I managed to remove this virus took me a day mind.

DO NOT OPEN IT!!!!!!!!!

18.3.2010 10:10 #6

dfw24

Originally posted by iamgq: DAMN!!! --- oh wait, i have a mac, nevermind

18.3.2010 10:33 #7

NeoandGeo

Originally posted by iamgq: DAMN!!! --- oh wait, i have a mac, nevermind Great choice for those that are computer illiterate. :D

18.3.2010 10:58 #8

21Q

My mother actually got this. I was concerned when she thought it was real, but at least she had sense enough to ask me what was up with it. I don't know why people can't use common sense for these things. If you didn't change it, then you didn't change it.

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18.3.2010 11:58 #9

DJ Blur (unverified)

Are people really this dumb? They deserve to be "hacked" when they just hand over their passwords.

18.3.2010 13:08 #10

Amak

Originally posted by iamgq: DAMN!!! --- oh wait, i have a mac, nevermind Don't worry, your superiority complex will bite you in the butt when a Mac virus is widespread.

18.3.2010 13:16 #11

pinny121

18.3.2010 13:31 #12

Xeres

Originally posted by dfw24: Originally posted by iamgq: DAMN!!! --- oh wait, i have a mac, nevermind You have my sympathy.

18.3.2010 13:43 #13

gregd548

Originally posted by NeoandGeo: Originally posted by iamgq: DAMN!!! --- oh wait, i have a mac, nevermind Great choice for those that are computer illiterate. :D An even better choice for those that ARE computer Literate

18.3.2010 14:39 #14

gregd548

After 30+ years of all the headaches DOS/Windows created for me, I switched to a Mac a year ago and now wish I'd done it many years ago. Mac hasn't crashed or hung once, does everything as I want it done, and don't have to spend hours working ON the thing - I can just work with it. SOOOO much better - and I'm VERY computer literate.

18.3.2010 14:45 #15

LM2008

Aww we need a Farmville virus or anything that can kill that stupid game once for all.

18.3.2010 16:59 #16

DVDBack23

Originally posted by Amak: Originally posted by iamgq: DAMN!!! --- oh wait, i have a mac, nevermind Don't worry, your superiority complex will bite you in the butt when a Mac virus is widespread. LOL, it's true, I'm not ragging on Macs by any means, but the reason there are no Mac viruses are because it doesn't make sense for virus/malware to take to time to write for them. Mac desktops have 8 percent of the market, and Mac laptops have 13 percent. I'd much rather write something when I know I can infect 92/87 percent of the population instead.

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18.3.2010 17:30 #17

jposey

OH DAMN, I have 2 Multi Core Intel CPU Media Center, Loaded Laptops with tons of software for what you paid for 1 over priced Intel with Mac OS on it. Just like your Mac, I have never had a virus. Just have to be smarter than what you work on. No one writes Virus for Mac OS, their not immune. It's because there are so few Mac's, why bother. Oh Damn.

18.3.2010 22:13 #18

iamgq

lol... you guys are funny.

True thug Afterdawn memeber since 05! Shout out to all those old school member still in the ranks of Newbie! Represent!

19.3.2010 05:12 #19

Deadrum33

Originally posted by iamgq: DAMN!!! --- oh wait, i have a mac, nevermind Originally posted by iamgq: lol... you guys are funny. WIKI Definition of troll=In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.

iamgq wins the troll of the week award for starting an idiotic apple vs. Windows flame war in a thread about facebook!

http://www.myspace.com/livingdeadband

19.3.2010 05:56 #20

ren97

Originally posted by Deadrum33: They should make a trojan that specifically hits those Farmville idiots...

19.3.2010 09:17 #21

ren97

This password stealing virus, isn't a virus it's an email password scam and it's been going around about as long as paypal password stealing scam emails. They don't specifically ask for you password, they just say you need to log in.

"History cannot repeat itself if we refuese to allow it" ~veo

19.3.2010 09:21 #22

oblieo

I AM ALSO PRESENTLY RECEIVING AT LEAST ONE EVERYDAY DAY IN MY 'SPAM' MAIL,AS I DONT USE 'FACEBOOK'I DID'NT BOTHER TO OPEN THEM AND DELETED THEM-THANK GOD.I HAVE NOW SENT OUT A WARNING TO ALL MY CONTACTS AND SUGGEST PEOPLE SHOULD DO THE SAME.

19.3.2010 19:41 #23

empulse

Originally posted by oblieo: I AM ALSO PRESENTLY RECEIVING AT LEAST ONE EVERYDAY DAY IN MY 'SPAM' MAIL,AS I DONT USE 'FACEBOOK'I DID'NT BOTHER TO OPEN THEM AND DELETED THEM-THANK GOD.I HAVE NOW SENT OUT A WARNING TO ALL MY CONTACTS AND SUGGEST PEOPLE SHOULD DO THE SAME. You should warn them about the ALL CAPS VIRUS TOO.

19.3.2010 20:57 #24

iamgq

Originally posted by Deadrum33: Originally posted by iamgq: DAMN!!! --- oh wait, i have a mac, nevermind Originally posted by iamgq: lol... you guys are funny. WIKI Definition of troll=In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.

iamgq wins the troll of the week award for starting an idiotic apple vs. Windows flame war in a thread about facebook! deadrum33, it was not my intention. all, i apologize. im going back to modify the original comment.

True thug Afterdawn memeber since 05! Shout out to all those old school member still in the ranks of Newbie! Represent!

19.3.2010 21:16 #25

bmlshane

Originally posted by Dragon3000: I had one of those emails last night. I did open the email out of interest but it was obvious that it was a scam. I did however reply to the email with, 'shut up'.

I hope that by replying to the email I haven't unleashed those pesky trojans.

What a rubbish world we live in. By opening and replying, you may have picked up the Virus. Do a scan of your system,, make sure you have a good anti-virus and a good antispyware, I have just done one and deleted tracking cookies, and some adware,and I haven't been on facebook for a couple of days, just going to favourite sites you can pick up undesirable malware, viruses and other nasties.

warlock

20.3.2010 03:44 #26

oblieo

Originally posted by empulse: Originally posted by oblieo: I AM ALSO PRESENTLY RECEIVING AT LEAST ONE EVERYDAY DAY IN MY 'SPAM' MAIL,AS I DONT USE 'FACEBOOK'I DID'NT BOTHER TO OPEN THEM AND DELETED THEM-THANK GOD.I HAVE NOW SENT OUT A WARNING TO ALL MY CONTACTS AND SUGGEST PEOPLE SHOULD DO THE SAME. You should warn them about the ALL CAPS VIRUS TOO. LOL-just making my point LOUD and CLEAR sorry if i jolted your eye sight but i am happy i have given you something to moan about!

20.3.2010 06:31 #27

manolet

Oh God! A Facebook Trojan!
And I don't have a Mac.
I never had a Mac!
What should I do?

( And no, I don't mean the Mac sandwich, silly!)

20.3.2010 15:14 #28

ChappyTTV

Originally posted by bmlshane: Originally posted by Dragon3000: I had one of those emails last night. I did open the email out of interest but it was obvious that it was a scam. I did however reply to the email with, 'shut up'.

I hope that by replying to the email I haven't unleashed those pesky trojans.

What a rubbish world we live in. By opening and replying, you may have picked up the Virus. Do a scan of your system,, make sure you have a good anti-virus and a good antispyware, I have just done one and deleted tracking cookies, and some adware,and I haven't been on facebook for a couple of days, just going to favourite sites you can pick up undesirable malware, viruses and other nasties. While it's possible, it's not probable since there's an executable attachment that launches the trojan installer.

Still, good advice to do a complete system scan, since the user did reply to something like this, it's a sign of someone a bit less security savvy.

@Dragon3000 - replying to these things can be just about as bad as clicking the exe file. They now have a confirmed email addy, and your IP info as well since all that info is contained in your email header data. Never a good idea to reply to spammers or any suspicious email bud, even if you're just telling them to F-Off.

Dave

20.3.2010 18:08 #29

manolet

Originally posted by ChappyTTV: Originally posted by bmlshane: Originally posted by Dragon3000: I had one of those emails last night. I did open the email out of interest but it was obvious that it was a scam. I did however reply to the email with, 'shut up'.

I hope that by replying to the email I haven't unleashed those pesky trojans.

What a rubbish world we live in. By opening and replying, you may have picked up the Virus. Do a scan of your system,, make sure you have a good anti-virus and a good antispyware, I have just done one and deleted tracking cookies, and some adware,and I haven't been on facebook for a couple of days, just going to favourite sites you can pick up undesirable malware, viruses and other nasties. While it's possible, it's not probable since there's an executable attachment that launches the trojan installer.

Still, good advice to do a complete system scan, since the user did reply to something like this, it's a sign of someone a bit less security savvy.

@Dragon3000 - replying to these things can be just about as bad as clicking the exe file. They now have a confirmed email addy, and your IP info as well since all that info is contained in your email header data. Never a good idea to reply to spammers or any suspicious email bud, even if you're just telling them to F-Off.

Dave This is very true. Don't reply to any email which is not warranted or suspicious.

Similarly, I do not go to websites which ask for info and password from me. A good antivirus program is required, but discretion is still a must.

I have my own website with public html's. And this still does not carry my real name. It also does not require logins to view.

I use the least traveled pathways, less to see,less fuss, but safer.

21.3.2010 17:01 #30

meve

Mac and PC are just like two religions. It will be very difficult if not impossible for Mac users to change to PC and vice versa. But the facts are that Macs are easier to use and less prone to get a virus. As others pointed out there are so few Macs worldwide that no "respectable" virus writer will want to waste their "valuable" time on it. In fact, if and when viruses become widespread in Mac, the Mac owners should feel proud that Macs sales are picking up and attention is being given to them. And, yes, they are so much easier to operate. That's probably because there are so few options and features available to set and so few applications on the market for them. Still I think Macs are the way best option for the computer not-to-savvy.

23.3.2010 11:01 #31

slvrbrd

23.3.2010 21:58 #32

ChappyTTV

Originally posted by meve: Mac and PC are just like two religions. It will be very difficult if not impossible for Mac users to change to PC and vice versa. But the facts are that Macs are easier to use and less prone to get a virus. As others pointed out there are so few Macs worldwide that no "respectable" virus writer will want to waste their "valuable" time on it. In fact, if and when viruses become widespread in Mac, the Mac owners should feel proud that Macs sales are picking up and attention is being given to them. And, yes, they are so much easier to operate. That's probably because there are so few options and features available to set and so few applications on the market for them. Still I think Macs are the way best option for the computer not-to-savvy. Very true meve, it is a big $$$ making venture for malware writers now so it is a waste to go after just a few Macs rather than a few 1000 PC's. Back when I did spare time malware testing/cracking, the writers were mostly amateurs who were decent coders, but nowadays they're professional coders making big bucks and making very complex stuff. Macs will have their day for sure and many of those who swear that Macs are "immune" (like my sister...) will learn the hard way, just like PC users had too.
Later

8.10.2010 18:44 #33

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