Zeus, a
six-year-old virus is going strong thanks to Facebook. From what
I've read, Facebook is aware of the virus and is not taking it very
seriously. So, it comes down to you – which really, it should.
Mac OS X and
Linux users, at ease. Zeus targets only Windows operating systems.
The virus
spreads through phishing messages. Usually, it is part of link or ad
posted by a friend that suggests you checkout an ad or video. BE
CAUSIOUS AND ONLY CLICK LINKS YOU ARE SURE ABOUT.
The virus sits
quietly for a while doing nothing, until you log into a bank account.
Once you've successfully logged in, it steals you id and password.
Then later, drains your account.
The Zeus virus
has been around since 2007 and is hosted on computers controlled in
Russia.
The
sophistication of this virus is, well, amazing. It may put up a
duplicate of your banks page to make you think you are logging into
your bank's real website. It has also been known to grab your social
security number, which is then sold on the black market. Also, once
the virus has you, it will send messages through social media and
email, in your name, trying to spread to new computers.
Bottom line –
be wary of all messages that say, 'checkout this video,' DON'T CLICK
THE LINK, unless you are absolutely sure of it's origin.
Note: the videos
are almost always real and funny / cute / scary – something to grab
your attention. Because they are real, you won't have any idea
you're infected.
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