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It used to be that computer viruses were quiet, personal experiences that only you, your family, and your data were privy to. But modern crooks have found that social networks make an excellent tool for spreading malware. An unfortunate side effect of this is that now friends and family all know when we've been infected.These malicious programs and scams often hijack your Facebook or Twitter account and then turn around and use your good name to deluge your network of friends with messages attempting to lure them into the same scam. The messages sent out by your account announce to all the world that you've been hacked. Maybe that description is a bit harsh, but it's how many perceive the infringement. Jodi Chapman used the words, "You feel like a total idiot," when she described the experience of having her Twitter account hacked to the New York Times. Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Internet and American Life Project, told the paper, "I'm worried that people will think I communicate this way," after his Twitter account sent messages containing a link and the text, "Hi, is this you? LOL."
Some malware takes a much more direct, and NSFW, approach to humiliating you. For example, a recent worm made its way through Facebook by posting an image of a scantily-clad woman accompanied by text urging friends to "Click Da' Button" if they "Wanna C Somthin' HOT."
While it may be slightly embarrassing to have your account hacked and repurposed as a tool to spread viruses, worms, and scams in such a public fashion, you're not alone. Chapman, Rainie, and Matt Marquess, who spent five days hocking $500 Victoria Secret gift cards before realizing his Twitter account had been hacked, are but a small sampling of the (at least) thousands of people who fall victim to malware everyday.
As always, the best way to avoid embarrassment is good browsing habits, and proper security. [From: New York Times]
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Comments
3
Subscribe to commentsPaulDec 16th 2009 11:00AM
I think these guys deserve to be Paintballed
unique29588Dec 15th 2009 3:35PM
I HAVE THIS F'IN VIRUS WISH PEOPLE WOULD GET A LIFE
Mike SandersDec 23rd 2009 6:46AM
What these guys don't realize, is that while it may seem "fun" to topple someone's system, there are many, many disabled people who use the Internet as their ONLY public outlet... Some of these people struggle just to sit up in a chair, or to read the tiny text, or to grasp the technology, dangers and responsibilities, of being online. It would be difficult enough for these poor souls, even without some geek-slime preying on them. In Missouri, we are enacting cybercrime laws, which will address these acts. Also, don't forget: If the victim is disabled or elderly, you will receive a 2X sentence... In other words, if you are captured and sentenced to 5 years in prison, the state will double your sentence to 10 years!
I volunteer my (professional) expertise to disadvantaged individuals. It breaks my heart to see how hard they try, only to face more disappointment. What was, a looking-glass to the world and a safe way to communicate with new people, has been turned into a minefield.
We (anti-hacker groups) are getting better and better, at detecting and neutralizing these menaces, before they can spread. I hate to use that worn-out phrase, "The War on ," but fighting cyber-mischeif, crime and cruelty, requires that everyone from the user on up, participate in security awareness training. Those who are more able, can assist those who cannot protect themselves. I've caught kids hacking into GM/EDS-NET and managed to correct them (and the system config), without resorting to using Law-Enforcement.
However, adults who do this sort of thing, out of hate, greed or for political purposes, should hope that...
1) I'm not the Comm. Spec., on the other side of the connection. You can be sure, that your session (content inclusive), is being loggged , analzed and archived... Every bit, in both directions.
2) They don't destroy my work, or harrass any of my disabled cyber-friends.
3) If they are tried in a court of law, that I don't offer my testimony and assist prosecutors,in every way that I can.
I am just one man, but I am so stubborn, that I can't let loose of a problem, until it's fixed right. I don't relish loosing sleep and free-time, setting traps and monitoring activities. Yes, I am but one man, but there are droves of cyber-cops and good citizens. We will carry on, long after your disk spins down and your monitor goes blank. Good prevails, while offenders fail... Sorry, no quarter for hackers (the bad kind). You have been warned.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Sanders
Communications Project Specialist (retired EDS; volunteer)
Saint Louis, Missouri