A recent report released by Sophos Inc details the use of viruses to hijack or mimic user accounts on social networks. It seems as though the virus will pretend to be a contact or friend on your social networking account. And send you direct messages asking you to visit websites or click on links. The messages are taking you to locations where your computer could potentially be infected.

“What’s needed is a period of introspection — for the big Web 2.0 companies to examine their systems and determine how, now that they have gathered a huge number of members, they are going to protect them from virus writers, identity thieves, spammers and scammers,” said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, in a statement. “The honeymoon period of these sites is over, and personally identifiable information is at risk as a result of constant attacks that the Web sites are simply not mature enough to protect against.”

This new form of virus is growing in popularity, so if it looks strange, don’t click on it, report it.

Article by Creative SEO UK