MySpace Spreading Viruses!

I have not received any virus' from myspace. I do however remove a ton of spyware almost daily

 

Is anyone surprised? MySpace would be an obvious target, as it attracts heaps of mostly ignorant users.

 

that pretty funny though there are going to be alot of pissed off moms and dads

 

you are absolutely correct. MySpace is and has been a host for spreading viruses. a prime example is the "exp.wmf" virus that was spread to over 1 million myspacers. i just did a speech on it for my Public Speaking class at college. the '.wmf' is a Windows Meta File type extension that MS Windows will download and install without question. MS Internet Explorer installs it inadvertantly(you wont even know) on your computer after visiting a website that has it.

The "exp.wmf" trojan wasnt discovered until an iDefense security analyst went to myspace using his linux machine and it asked if he wanted to download it. this trojan serves 3 functions: (1) download more spyware, viruses, trojans (2) bombard the user with pop-up ads (3) record every keyboard stroke entered when IE is connected to the internet and send it to a server in Turkey. that means it recorded your usernames, passwords, bank accounts, and credit card numbers even if you werent on myspace.



Brian Krebs, The Washington Post, source

There are other known 'viruses' on myspace and yet the myspace programers have done almost nothing about it. i have actually found websites that show a hacker how to make a 'myspace' virus.

 

Have seen several cases traceable to myspace based on user/date/time...

 

Thats scary glad I hate myspace

 

Fight viruses with ox out. It penetrates deep to scour your infected software with the power of ox. It can haul bails of lumber, and makes good eating too. Waste makes good fertilizer.

Seriously, everyone who surfs the internet should have Norton Anti virus installed on their computers. That and a good firewall. If you don't know about it, just go to a computer store and ask about virus protection software. Norton just happens to be the best out there.

 

I agree w/your point but not of using symantec (Norton) products.
They are approaching aohell's level of invasiveness... plus they don't work that well.

I've found better (and free) ways to protect one's self by being PROACTIVE using:

• NAT router
• Grisoft AVG antivirus
• Mozilla Firefox (FORGET ms explorer)
• Spybot Search & Destroy
• SpywareBlaster

The apps are only as good as their manual REGULAR (min weekly) updates.


Adaware is a Good reactive 'letsseeificancleanupthismess' app.



If One is lazy, auto updates can be had for a nominal fee.
in other words spend the money to buy the apps...

 

i support this advice with only a few exceptions. NAT-enabled routers can generate conflicts with downloading clients and applications (ex: Bittorent, Kazaa, Limewire, etc.). other than that NAT's are great for security. contrary to popular belief, I do not support the use of any 'spyware-remover' products, especialy if it is free. i have seen too many of these programs that contain their own Agenda on your computer, aka, they install a trojan or virus of their own.




Norton is a waste of Xbytes. instead of installing {1. a seperate virus scan, 2. a seperate firewall, and 3. a seperate malicious software tool.} just go buy yourself the newest (or not) McAfee Security Center, which includes those 3 things above, plus wireless security, spam blocker, pop-up blocker, and Personal User Security. i own a McAfee Security Center edition from 2002, and it still allows me to recieve Free updates. (not that I use Windows enough to care about updating it)




and most importantly GET FIREFOX!!!1 it is FREE, so get it and use it.

 

I don't use windows myself, but for my clients I recommend the Nod32 AV system as it detects viruses AND spyware. A good router with NAT and SPI will protect you from most outside threats. It only causes problems with your torrents etc if you don't know how to open/forward ports

 

A hole can be punched in the router for p2p apps w/o affecting overall PC security.

I've been running this way for years w/o a problem... *knock on wood*


BTW zonealarm is attempting to emulate symantec in releasing inferior apps while falling back on their past 'Good' reputation.
Some p2p apps refuse to function properly if za is installed on the PC... even if za is turned 'off'.

 

myspace sucks.. i only use it because i'm addicted