Risky Business: Using Facebook at Work
Allowing employees to check social-networking sites on the job may invite cybercriminals into your company.
As social networking sites gain popularity in business environments -- as marketing tools as well as among employees goofing off on the job -- their use by malware to launch attacks is growing, too.
One marauding program called Koobface masquerades on Facebook as e-mail from friends, directing a user to an outside site. Once opened, Koobface takes up residence on the user’s computer, capturing keystrokes in order to nab credit card numbers, faking virus attacks then offering to disinfect the computer -- for a fee, of course -- or otherwise committing mayhem.
Messages telling users there are viruses on their computers typically look like the real thing from Microsoft. One fake-cleanup gang was finally caught last year after doing an estimated $100 million in business.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Note that nearly 30% of corporate computer users admitted to checking social network sites while at work last year, up from 15% the year before. “Essentially, users are volunteering to be infected,” says David Perry, global director of education at Trend Micro Inc., a provider of Internet-security software.
And “once infected, the bad guys have control over your system and browsing activities,” notes Jamz Yaneza, threat research manager at Trend Micro.
Moreover, the malicious software -- or botnet, as such software is called -- keeps evolving, making it difficult to control.
The malware isn’t confined to Facebook. Koobface also has appeared on MySpace, Friendster, hi5, myYearbook, Tagged, Bebo, Netlog, fubar and Twitter accounts.
To protect yourself, consider using software that will proactively block employee surfing to malicious sites. Prices for blocking software vary by size of installation, but run less than $70 for a three-computer network. In addition to Trend Micro, providers of blocking software include Symantec, McAfee, Microsoft and Computer Associates.
-
Save Over $40 on Audible With Amazon's Latest Deal
Amazon’s latest promotion lets you score three months of Audible for just $0.99 a month.
By Erin Bendig Published
-
Buy eBay and Sell Etsy, Morgan Stanley Says
Morgan Stanley is bullish on eBay and bearish on Etsy. Here’s what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
When's the Best Time to Buy a Domestic Flight? The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter A new study by CheapAir.com has crunched the numbers.
By Sean Lengell Published
-
Woes Continue for Banking Sector: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter Regional bank stocks were hammered recently after news of New York Community Bank’s big fourth-quarter loss.
By Rodrigo Sermeño Published
-
Anxious Flyers Take Note: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter Whether it's the routes to avoid that have the most turbulence or the safest airline, we've got you covered.
By Sean Lengell Published
-
The Auto Industry Outlook for 2024
The Kiplinger Letter Here's what to expect in the auto industry this year. If you’re in the market for a car it won’t be quite as daunting as it was during the pandemic and after.
By David Payne Published
-
Two More Travel Trends for 2024: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter As the world gets moving again, two more travel trends to consider: Solo cruising and airline passengers with loaded guns.
By Sean Lengell Published
-
Three Travel Trends Will Drive the Industry This Year: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter New travel trends like set-jetting, destination “dupes” and tour traveling will propel the travel industry in 2024.
By Sean Lengell Published
-
State Economics — Spotlight on New England: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter After a better-than-expected 2023, New England states will see only modest employment growth in 2024.
By David Payne Published
-
2024's Social Media and Smartphone Trends: The Kiplinger Letter
Video-sharing giant, YouTube, dominates as teens' go-to social media outlet.
By John Miley Published