Potential Virus Alert

Everyone, there's something odd happening at Twitter and Facebook. There's a flaw in the system that allows third party web sites to open in your browser by mousing over keywords.

I'm not finding much information yet, but Sophos.com had a post on it just now and there's also one at Thinq.

I got off both Twitter and Facebook when I noticed a big orange graphic loading on my Twitter page. I'll keep an eye on the web for any updates.

You might want to run your virus protection just to be on the safe side.

If anyone hears anything new, let me know. Thanks.

UPDATE: Goddess Fish Productions posted a link from Forbes saying Twitter has patched the bug.

I'm still running a comprehensive scan on my machine just to be safe. I'll wait for it to finish before I get back online.

It's a good habit to regularly run scans on your computer even between the automatic scans for instances just like this.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hmmm. Thanks for the warning!
from Forbes:

http://blogs.forbes.com/andygreenberg/2010/09/21/twitter-hit-with-a-quick-spreading-clickless-virus/
Maria Zannini said…
Liz: Just doing my civic duty. :)

Goddess Fish: Thanks for the update!
Meghan S. said…
Hmmmmm dumb hackers. Thanks for the info, I ran my virus scan and it seems all is well :)
Maria said…
uhm, I didn`t notice anything. at all. :D
Mike Keyton said…
Thanks for the warning, Maria
Maria Zannini said…
The patch is already in place according to Twitter.

Luckily, some folks in Australia noticed it first, so people in the northern hemisphere weren't as widely affected.

I ran my virus checker anyway. It's too dangerous to assume otherwise.
Dru said…
I run my scan every week.

Thanks for the warning. I haven't been on Twitter in awhile and haven't noticed anything on Facebook.
Maria Zannini said…
Dru:

Ref: I run my scan every week.

That's a smart habit.
Regular virus scans are essential on our pc's, there's so many ways we can get hacked. Thanks for the update on this.
Maria Zannini said…
KarenG: Hackers have gotten so clever. You don't even have to click on links anymore. They grab you when you're not even looking.
Unknown said…
Good advice. Now I just have to hope my new security-ware keeps it out of my computer.

Enduring hackers gets old fast.
Maria Zannini said…
Kay: It never ends with them. I wish I had that much free time.
I did not realize. My husband as virus scans running automatically. In fact, the female voice that announced my computer is in the clear startles me many times esp of I forget to turn the volume down.


Thanks for keeping us in the know. Otherwise, I would be clueless.