Facebook users beware - new virus spreading via facebook chat window

Report By: Nina Rai

Los Angeles, 23 May, 2012

Facebook users are hereby warned to be wary, as there is a new computer virus on the loose, which uses the Facebook chat window to spread its tentacles. It is triple mala-fide.

It first directs users to fake link, making the user to download infected software. Secondly it, supersedes any protective software in place, and thirdly goes about deleting any anti-virus program instantly.

The latest virus’ modus operandi is simple, just when the pop-up window is used by a user to chat with another user, the virus pops up in the form of a message from a ‘friend.’ It then links to an innocuous looking website. An unwary user clicking the link will instantly have his/her PC infected with the deadly virus.

Trend Micro, which first discovered the virus, has named the malware as Steckt.Evl. This virus is indeed evil as it instantly disables and chucks out the anti-virus software. It then goes on a rampage opening the chat windows of the user’s friends also on the Facebook.

Trend Micro, the internet security experts who first unearthed this latest threat explained 'The worm propagates via instant messaging applications and social networking sites … The instant message it sends is a link that downloads a copy of itself.'

This latest internet threat is truly smart. Any program that can detect it is instantly disabled and destroyed by this deadly worm. It then goes on to download additional software which compromises the infected machine, even further.

Founded by Steve and Jenny Chang and Eva Chen in Los Angeles in 1988, Trend Micro states, 'It (virus) terminates processes or services that are mostly related to anti-malware programs … It also deletes the files that are related to the processes or services it terminates. It does the said routine to keep itself running on the affected system.'

This dangerous malaware Steckt.Evl connects to a remote website for dispatching and receiving information. It’s major aim to take control of the PC with the intention of stealing secret information such as bank details and to use the targeted 'zombie' machine as part of a network of invaders in massive cyber crimes.

Source: Daily Mail

Also Check Other Interesting News:

President Obama honors Bob Dylan among others with Medal of Freedom

£20,000 robo-fish to monitor pollution in the sea

What is your worth in dollars to Facebook? Check with Val-You Calculator

News Anchor Sara Eisen’s wardrobe blooper on Bloomberg TV (Video)

Afghanistan-shaped birthmark turns nine-year-old beggar into a Celebrity

US Eves fantasize about making love atop Eiffel Tower: Survey

Amazing search engine Million Short helps trawl through Web’s less beaten track

US Space Shuttle Enterprise’s historic final flyover NY Skies (Video)