DENVER -
Facebook users are being targeting by a malicious virus that can wipe out your computer.
The new attack uses a two-layer approach.
First robbing you of your Facebook user name and password.
And then installing a dangerous virus.
And it's very scary what this latest virus can do, and how easily it can infect your computer.
We had some computer experts show us how.
In most cases it begins by asking you to change your Facebook password, or saying it's been reset because your account has been compromised.
Something the company will never do.
These fake Facebook emails are going out to millions of computers, and they carry a virus that can basically destroy your computer.
"The Facebook virus is actually just opening the door for everything else that can attack your system," said Steve McGrath of PC Tech Denver.
McGrath says his company's getting swamped by folks asking for help.
"A lot of people are wondering what's happening with their Facebook, their operating system is acting up, their accounts are disabled, they can't get on the internet anymore and they're just frantic."
Computer Science Professor Dr. Steve Beaty of Metropolitan State College of Denver showed us how easy it is to spoof a site like Facebook, to attack and steal information.
"By making my site look exactly like their site, somebody could be fooled into logging into my fake website and now all of the sudden I have the user name and password," said Beaty.
He says this newest variation virus can take over your computer, to send spam and attack others, using both phishing and malware attacks.
" It can be from your mom your dad, your close personal friends the 'from' can be something you might actually recognize..and just like on the website, we can make the email look exactly like it was coming from Facebook or your bank or whomever," said Beaty.
And Facebook with it's millions of freewheeling users, becomes an easy target.
Attacking both a victim's Facebook inbox and personal emails.
"It starts other viruses that are malicious wanting personal information, financial information, fooling you into saying 'Hey you're infected you need to update this, buy this,'" said Steve McGrath of PC Tech Denver.
Both experts say be wary, don't click on any link or email claiming to be from Facebook, delete it and empty your recycle bin.
Remember, social networking sites will never ask you to reset your password.
If you think you are infected: don't put any personal onto your computer.
And make sure you have the latest anti-spyware and anti-malware installed.
It may take a computer professional to have the virus removed from your computer.
So far, the virus originators have been traced back to the Netherlands and Kazakhstan.
The new attack uses a two-layer approach.
First robbing you of your Facebook user name and password.
And then installing a dangerous virus.
And it's very scary what this latest virus can do, and how easily it can infect your computer.
We had some computer experts show us how.
In most cases it begins by asking you to change your Facebook password, or saying it's been reset because your account has been compromised.
Something the company will never do.
These fake Facebook emails are going out to millions of computers, and they carry a virus that can basically destroy your computer.
"The Facebook virus is actually just opening the door for everything else that can attack your system," said Steve McGrath of PC Tech Denver.
McGrath says his company's getting swamped by folks asking for help.
"A lot of people are wondering what's happening with their Facebook, their operating system is acting up, their accounts are disabled, they can't get on the internet anymore and they're just frantic."
Computer Science Professor Dr. Steve Beaty of Metropolitan State College of Denver showed us how easy it is to spoof a site like Facebook, to attack and steal information.
"By making my site look exactly like their site, somebody could be fooled into logging into my fake website and now all of the sudden I have the user name and password," said Beaty.
He says this newest variation virus can take over your computer, to send spam and attack others, using both phishing and malware attacks.
" It can be from your mom your dad, your close personal friends the 'from' can be something you might actually recognize..and just like on the website, we can make the email look exactly like it was coming from Facebook or your bank or whomever," said Beaty.
And Facebook with it's millions of freewheeling users, becomes an easy target.
Attacking both a victim's Facebook inbox and personal emails.
"It starts other viruses that are malicious wanting personal information, financial information, fooling you into saying 'Hey you're infected you need to update this, buy this,'" said Steve McGrath of PC Tech Denver.
Both experts say be wary, don't click on any link or email claiming to be from Facebook, delete it and empty your recycle bin.
Remember, social networking sites will never ask you to reset your password.
If you think you are infected: don't put any personal onto your computer.
And make sure you have the latest anti-spyware and anti-malware installed.
It may take a computer professional to have the virus removed from your computer.
So far, the virus originators have been traced back to the Netherlands and Kazakhstan.
