What does the koobface virus do

Home Security. Vangie Beal. December 12, Updated on: May 24, Vangie Beal Vangie Beal is a freelance business and technology writer covering Internet technologies and online business since the late '90s. Top Articles. We look at the history of Windows Read more. Website Shortcut on Your Desktop reviewed by Web Webster This Webopedia guide will show you how to create a website shortcut on your desktop using It is most often spread through a tantalizing message or post that contains a video.

When the video is clicked, the victim is taken to a forged Web page that states the video cannot be watched because an update for Adobe Flash Player is needed. It then conveniently offers a link to download and install the update. The Koobface worm is classified as a bot. Computers infected with bots can connect to command and control servers.

Since a bot runs as a background process without the user knowing, virtually anything is possible from that point on. For this reason computers infected with bots like Koobface are also referred to as zombie hosts. By clicking sign up, you agree to receive emails from Techopedia and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Koobface is a computer worm that targets users through social media. It is classified as a bot, which means it can connect to command and control servers.

Once Koobface has control of a host which is in turn referred to as a "zombie host" it can harvest all sorts of personal information, significantly compromising data and security.

Koobface first appeared on social media in It typically posts a link to what appears to be a video on social media, but when the external link is opened there is a false Flash update prompt, which instead introduces Koobface into the system. Antivirus Software: What's the Difference? Kaspersky Internet Security. What Is the Koobface Virus? Kaspersky The Koobface Virus is a worm that uses social engineering and phishing to infiltrate systems and steal data. Learn more about this threat here.

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