How to Avoid or Remove Koobface aka Facebook Virus

Some social networking sites, including Facebook, have been attacked by a viral worm, commonly known as Koobface. This worm spreads from your account and affects friends on your list. Koobface looks for cookies stored on your computer by social networking sites such as Facebook, Netlog, Myspace, Bebo, Fubar, Friendster and LiveJournal. Evade this annoyance by following a few tips.

Things You'll Need

• Anti-virus program
• Active firewall

Instructions

1. The Koobface virus hides in a Windows directory under the guise of freddy35.exe and takes control of your computer by spreading itself to others from your computer. Messages that look like they are from friends may contain the links as well. Investigate before you click. Often the subject will contain lines similar to these: "Funny Moments," "Paris Hilton Tosses Dwarf on the Street," "My friend catched (sic) you on hidden cam" and "Hello You Must See it!!!"

   There may be a link to a YouTube video as well. If you're informed to update your Flash application, this is a ruse. Ignore it.

2. The most important step is not to click on any links on these sites. The worm is often found in your inbox at these social networking sites. Remember the old adage: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Curb your curiosity. Don't randomly click any link.

3. Now that you know what to watch for, be sure you have an active firewall and an up-to-date virus protection, such as Microsoft Security Essentials (Microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx).

Tips & Warnings

• Always update your anti-virus programs.

• Curb the urge to click.

• Ask friends to verify that the link that they send to you is an actual link and not a gateway for Koobface.

• Be especially cautious on social networking sites.

References

• Facebook: Help Center: The Koobface Virus

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish