Twitter warns users of Koobface worm

by Graham Cluley on July 10, 2009 | Comments Off

Filed Under: Data loss, Malware, Social networks, Spam

Koobface, the worm which has previously troubled social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, hi5, Bebo and Friendster, appears to now be making itself comfortable on micro-blogging website Twitter.

A warning from Twitter has been posted on the site's blog, warning users that their accounts may be suspended if it is believed that their PCs have been compromised by the worm.

Warning about Koobface from Twitter

Dangerous messages that have been seen include:

My home video :)
Watch my new private video! LOL :)

and exhibiting some topicality (albeit combined with rather poor grammar):

michaeljackson' testament on youtube

Compromised Twitter accounts posting links

Obviously, we do not recommend clicking on the links, and you should know by now that virus writers have frequently disguised their malware behind video disguises.

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About the author

Graham Cluley is senior technology consultant at Sophos. The readers of Computer Weekly voted him security blogger of the year in 2009 and 2010, and he pipped Stephen Fry to the title of "Twitter user of the year" too. Which was nice. He was also named "Best Security Blogger" by the readers of SC Magazine in 2011. You can subscribe to Graham's updates on Facebook, follow him on Twitter and circle him on Google Plus for regular updates.