YourFacebookStuff

If, by chance, you’ve received a message from a “friend” in the last few days saying that you’ve been caught on tape, it’s not true. Unless you’re Paris Hilton.

But no, she’s been tossing a dwarf. Okay, not really, but those are just two of the scams Facebook and MySpace users have been hit with recently.

The malicious software attempts to lure users in with messages ranging from “You’ve been catched on hidden cam” to the one about Hilton tossing a dwarf on the street. The messages contain a link that takes unsuspecting users to a Web page that looks like YouTube. There the page tells visitors that to view the video, they need to click on another link to download and install updated software. Those who fall for the scam are actually installing malicious software.

The worm, called Koobface, turns compromised computers into “zombie” machines that can be used in other types of online attacks. The malicious software may also include keylogger software, which can record a computer user’s keystrokes — and potentially grab passwords when they are entered on a computer.

Alexander Gostev, senior virus analyst at computer security firm Kaspersky Lab, said in a statement that this type of attack could be a successful one for hackers. “Users are very trusting of messages left by ‘friends’ on social networking sites. So the likelihood of a user clicking on a link like this is very high,” he said.

Facebook has also been alerting users to a hoax message claiming that the site is overpopulated and that some accounts soon will be deleted.

Facebook’s security page offers a few common-sense suggestions for those worried about security. (”If a link or a message seems weird, don’t click on it,” is one tip.) The company is still investigating the malware attack, according to a spokesman.

According to research firm Cloudmark, users of social networking sites are reporting a rise in spam. An average of 64 spam attacks have been reported over the last year, and 37 percent of users have noticed an increase in the last six months in unwanted messages.

Is she? Could be. And more power to Ivy Bean, we say. More friends, too. She’s nearly got 5k as of 5PM EST. Much to do with the publicity the frisbee-wielding Olympian has received, we suspect. She was featured on NPR’s Morning Edition this Friday, followed by a spot in the Daily Mail, and subsequently, Silicon Alley Insider. This weekend the sporty and Web-enabled centenarian can check off Mashable, too.

This is light news at best, not like the technical heavies we trumpet most every week. But Ms. Bean’s 15 minutes have indeed arrived, as they say, and since she’s nabbing much props from the Facebook congnoscenti, we’ll go ahead and bow to the great dame as well. 

Not much in the way of deets about the networker. She’s 102 years young. She’s over in Bradford, England. She was given a Facebook group all her own, titled “Oldest Person on Facebook.” And, well, it seems she’s only looking to add to her friends list at the moment, it seems. Typical Facebooker, eh? Apparently that policy is working to her favor anyway.

 Really, though. Consider how you’d like your profile to show if/when you’ve reached 102. Peace and quiet, and some polite conversation with folks close by, right? Most definitely.

Anywho, for old time’s “Add-as-Friend” sake, we’d say be the kind lads and gals you are and give Englishwoman a click and a hello.

Facebook has blocked links between its social networking site and malware-infested Web sites to where malicious hackers have been trying to lure Facebook members.

“We’ve identified and blocked the ability to link to the malicious websites from anywhere on Facebook. Less than .002 percent of people on Facebook have been affected, all of whom we notified and suggested steps to remove the malware,” wrote Max Kelly, Facebook’s head of security, in a blog post early Friday. Continue Reading »