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NewsMySpace and Facebook Users Targeted by New Koobface Worm

Posted 08/04/08 at 03:07:27 PM by Mark Edward Soper

MySpace and Facebook users now have bigger worries than whether Wordscraper will stay online: two new worms, known as the Koobface family, are attacking Windows users of these popular social networking (or "Notworking" sites, as our friends at The Inquirer call them). These new worms pose a threat to the peace of mind of people like Zac Koobface (a real Facebook user, by the way).

Kapersky Labs was the first to detect these worms: Net-Worm.Win32.Koobface.a (targets MySpace) and Net-Worm.Win32.Koobface.b (targets Facebook). McAfee refers to both worms as W32/Koobface.worm, while Symantec uses the terms W32.Koobface.A and W32.Koobface.B.

Both worms send comments or messages to other users of the service. The messages or comments contain alleged links to humorous YouTube files (such as "Paris Hilton Tosses Dwarf On The Street"). When the user clicks on the link, the link redirects to a website that displays an error message claiming the user needs an updated codec to enable the Adobe Flash player to play the video. The alleged Flash player update (codecsetup.exe) contain the worm.

When the Koobface.A worm runs, it configures itself to run automatically when the system starts, checks for MySpace cookies, and if it finds them, modifies the user's profile by adding links to malicious sites that contain the worm. To learn more about Koobface.A and Koobface.B, check the McAfee and Symantec links earlier in this article.

If you use Kapersky, McAfee, or Symantec antivirus, the latest virus definitions will detect and stop these worms. If you use other antivirus or anti-malware programs, check for updates daily - and don't click on funny video links from other MySpace or Facebook users. The results just aren't very funny.

Been bugged by these or other social-networking worms? Tell us your story after the jump!

Comments: 2
TAGS: windows, Software, Security, malware, facebook, myspace, web 2.0, antivirus, worm, Social Networking, Mcafee, symantec, Kapersky

NewsGoodbye Scrabulous, Hello Wordscraper

Posted 07/31/08 at 10:34:26 PM by Mark Edward Soper

Wordscraper is the latest Facebook wordgame

The Mashable social networking blog reports that the creators of the now-offline Scrabble clone Scrabulous, Rajat and Jayant Agarwalla, have now launched Wordscraper. Wordscraper, like its now-vanished sibling, is for Facebook users only.

Wordscraper doesn't look like Scrabble, as it uses circles instead of squares for letter placement. Although Wordscraper uses multiple letter and word scores like Scrabble, it implements them with different-colored circles, and the default board uses a much different layout than Scrabble.

To learn more about what makes Wordscraper different, and maybe better, than its predecessor, join us after the jump.

Comments: 0
TAGS: facebook, web 2.0, scrabulous, scrabble, Social Networking, Wordscraper, word game

NewsEye-Fi Wireless SD Cards Get More Social, Easier to Buy

Posted 07/24/08 at 09:05:47 PM by Mark Edward Soper

Eye-Fi partners with Nikon, Adobe, Circuit City

We first looked at the Eye-Fi wireless SD flash memory card back in February, and liked its easy uploading and support for photo-sharing sites like Flickr. Now, there are three different models of Eye-Fi cards, new partnerships with Nikon's my Picturetown and Adobe's Photoshop Express give you more ways to share your photos, and you can now find Eye-Fi cards at Circuit City. To learn more about what's new with Eye-Fi, catch us after the jump.

Comments: 1
TAGS: digital photography, web 2.0, flash memory, consumer electronics, Social Networking, SD, Eye-Fi, wireless SD, my Picturetown

NewsMinimise-Me Helps Windows Live Messenger Users Create Personalized Emoticons

Posted 07/22/08 at 06:08:15 PM by Mark Edward Soper

Minimise-me makes creating custom characters easy

Jealous of Dr. Evil's Mini-Me? Worried about running out of Hot Pockets if you had a miniaturized version of yourself? Stop worrying - you can now create your very own 2D "mini-me" for free with Minimise-Me.

To learn more about the process, and to find out how you can put your screen-sized 2D double to work, join us after the jump.