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We've all seen our fair share of Facebook-based viruses, but a newly released study from security software manufacturer BitDefender reminds us just how vulnerable we are when using the social network. According to the study, 20-percent of all Facebook users are exposed to malware as they troll through their friends' news feeds. The report defines "malware" as any post that, when clicked, results in "the user's account being hijacked and in malware being automatically posted on the walls of the respective user's friends." The majority of the attacks (60-percent) come from malicious third-party Facebook applications. Of those, 21.5-percent are so-called "attack apps," which often claim to offer some sort of feature that Facebook prohibits, like seeing who's defriended you. Over 15-percent offer extras for Facebook games like 'FarmVille,' while 16-percent of Facebook malware lures users with shocking video clips, according to the report.
As CNET explains, it's not just news feeds that are vulnerable to attack, but private messages, as well. And, unfortunately, the outlook may actually be more grim than the report suggests. BitDefender compiled the statistics using data from a Facebook app called Safego, which warns users whenever they might be vulnerable to malware. But only 14,000 people actively use the app, and those users are probably more security-conscious than the rest of Facebook's 500 million users, quickly determining whether or not a Page or profile belongs to a scammer. The percentage of vulnerable users, then, may actually be even higher -- all the more reason to be extra vigilant when you're doing your online stalking.
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Comments
6
Subscribe to commentsRonNov 28th 2010 11:06AM
This morning I found a pile of e-mails from "people" wanting to be FB friends with me, all barely-clad young women with links to some site off Facebook. Most will have some woman's name with a :) right after it. These are the ones to beware of!
HopeNov 28th 2010 11:54AM
@(Unverified) I went through that too. For a while I reported them and blocked them. Kept happening until I had to change my security settings to friends only. Made me mad,I like being visible to a lot of people,but not looking for naked,or mostly naked women friends.
spvystvNov 28th 2010 12:42PM
thats not news , it s been going on ? who knows how long
Gregory SchwartzNov 28th 2010 8:31PM
I have a page on FaceBook, but I rarely go in to FaceBook. As much as I love my family, friends and relatives, I really don't care what they ate for breakfast or what they did last night. If I have something really important to convey, I will send Emails. I don't trust FB and all the viruses, scams and malware that come along for the ride. I have gotten invites from naked women. Why do these broads have to invade our online routine with offensive photos of their equipment. I am not impressed and find it offensive. I wish they would all just go away and when they get there, stay there. - gregg in Sarasota, FL
dfc4385Nov 28th 2010 6:23PM
@(Unverified)
dfc4385Nov 28th 2010 6:21PM
@(Unverified)
I too have a Facebook page, only because my son decided I should have one. Now all my relatives want to be my friend. There is a phone and there is email. My life is not there for public view. People disclose way too much information and let's face it, for most of them, I could care less what they do. I am just so sick and tired of everyone wanting to be my "friend". Is there a contest as to who has logged in the most "friends"?