The latest social-networking virus going around is being spread through Yahoo Instant Messenger. One of your contacts sends you an IM (“instant message”) asking “is this your pic” with a link which contains the string www.facebook.com – but if you actually read the link, it’s pointing to someplace in the .ly domain. That’s Libya – not exactly a friend to Western nations. Don’t expect the Libyan authorities to take any action against the person or persons behind this attack; that’s not going to happen.
McAfee fails to detect the virus (in my experience, this is not unusual. I would NEVER use McAfee or Norton security products. But that’s jsut me, the computer professional. Your mileage may vary.).
In order to get rid of it, follow these steps:
- Reboot your computer into “safe mode with networking.”
- Download and install Malwarebytes Antimalware (the free version will be fine for this purpose).
- Update MBAM and run a full scan of your system.
- Remove any malicious software found.
Optional (but recommended): If yo uare running Norton or McAfee security products, dump them. In my experience, while they will give you a “warm fuzzy” feeling that you are protected – you aren’t. After removing it, install instead Microsoft Security Essentials or Comodo Anti-Virus.
Afterwards, reboot into normal mode and immediately scan again. This step is essential.
Good luck – and may the Bytes be with you!
Example spam IM:
