FX.co ★ Facebook is a launch pad for ransomwares

Facebook tries to solve the problem of the ransomware that has recently broken into the social media. It disguises itself of the pictures with SVG extansion, which are passed through private messages. The malicious software held not only Russian segment, but also a foreign one.

The experts from the Check Point company try to take in the situation. Responsible for network security Burt Blaze was the first who had noted about the virus. Swindlers build a malicious code in SVG-files. Following the link, coded in a message, a user get in the site looking like YouTube, where he is forced to download a plug-in to the Chrome browser for watching a virused-up video. Then the computer distributes the virus to other users launching the Locky ransomware. It codes the drive's data demanding to pay for its decompression.

Check Point's experts are sure that such situation is possible through the ImageGate technology. The specialists found the attack vector, touching the leading web-sites and international social media such as Facebook and LinkedIn. The experts of Check Point informed the service managers about the threat in September.

According to the specialists, the program using Locky is active up to now. Every day dozens of people fall victims to it. Hackers' target are users passing a long time in social networks. Cyber criminals find new methods of using social media as a platform for their viruses.

The analysts are sure that the span-action infection is carried out through a malicious SVG-file loading. Check Point's experts are ready to give the attack's detailed description, but it's possible only after the security patch of the most sites. The experts warn: it doesn't pay to open pictures with an unusual extansion (SVG, JS or HTA) and not to run a file in the case of an accidental click. In order to prevent such situations it is recommended to use the most up-to-date versions of antiviruses.

In the picture: the founder of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla.