Malicious programs targeting social networking sites on a rise: McAfee report

Latest figures released as part of McAfee’s Threat Report of January - March 2013 reveal a rapid increase in the number of malware-ridden software programs in the review period. Worryingly, these malicious programs have been found victimising mainly users on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. The report even added that spam attacks around the world doubled during the quarter.

“There has been a steady rise in mobile malware and a rapid increase in general malware, including Facebook malware threat Koobface, AutoRun malware and stealth malware that attacks the master boot record (MBR),” the report said.

Malware targeting users on social networking sites (Image source: Getty Images)

The shocking findings don’t end here. McAfee Labs, in fact, found almost three times as many samples of Koobface in the review period, as seen in the previous quarter, “.. which is a high point for the social networking worm that targets Facebook, Twitter and other social networking service users,” the report added.

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In addition to these, the McAfee Labs report also pointed out to a continued increase in Android malware, malicious web URLs and overall malware samples.

Interestingly, unsuspecting users were found coming face to face with another quirky instance. They would receive “Fakejoboffer” with a job interview letter, telling them they have been selected for a job interview and that they should pay for their travel expenses to reach the venue. These unsuspecting users are then told that they will be reimbursed for their ticket costs when they arrive at the venue of the interview – which of course, does not exist.

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