Fake Facebook Virus

Written by Christian on March 29, 2010 in Facebook - 1 Comment

Most users of Facebook would know better than to install a program that claims to provide anti-virus protection from a website (why would anyone want to be a part of a social network that has viruses???) Unfortunately, there are plenty of people that believe that some app called Facebook Antivirus could really offer them protection from viruses while surfing Facebook.

 This is so not the case. Facebook Antivirus is just another piece of garbage-ware that feeds of unknowing users. Facebook is obviously King in town when it comes to the social networks, and as such is a tempting target for malware creators to lure an unsuspecting 250 million Facebook users into downloading this piece of trash software.Like many other “bootleg” looking software , Facebook Antivirus uses images from legitimate software  to fol users into thinking that they are getting official software. The interface above, for example, is ripped from Panda Cloud Antivirus and the app also uses a Norton icon in certain places. The familiar yellow circle and stethoscope is all the convincing it would take for many users to install the malicious app.

Once a profile is infected, the rogue goes to work tagging your photos with 20 of your friends and then publishes the photo to your wall. Friends receive update notifications, stumble across the Antivirus, unknowingly click through, and spread the infection.

Facebook will no doubt shut down the app soon, but it's important to remember to be careful what you click. Less experienced users who need a little extra help identifying threats should check out some of the free tools

The good folks at F-Secure have posted a number of screenshots of FB Antivirus and you'll find information at Facebook Insider that will help you clean up your photos and wall if you've been victimized by the rogue program.