"Cybercriminals are capitalizing on the Christmas holiday in a new Facebook scam that renders users’ computers useless, reports PandaLabs, Panda Security’s malware analysis and detection laboratory."
An image of the capture is available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/panda_security/4166135978/.
After the virus is installed on the computer a capture is displayed that threatens to reboot the computer within three minutes. Although nothing really happens the computer becomes useless.
To Stay safe during the Christmas season Pandalabs recomends the following.
1) Don't click suspicious links from non-trusted sources. This should apply to messages received through Facebook, other social networks and even via e-mail.
2) If you click on links, check the target URL. If you don't recognize it, close your browser.
3) Even if you don't see anything strange on the target URL page but are asked to download something, don't accept.
4) If you do download or install an executable file and the PC starts to launch messages, there is probably malware on your computer.
5) As a general rule, make sure your computer is well protected to ensure you are not exposed to the risk of infection from any malicious code. You can protect yourself by downloading Panda Security’s new free Panda Cloud Antivirus solution at http://www.cloudantivirus.com.
So users need to be careful about clicking on links. Even from a trusted source you need to first make sure that there is nothing lurking behind the link before accepting and clicking on it. e-mails are going to be a target to spread viruses the Xmas. With the number of greetings flying around. Hackers try to have fun every holiday season. Always double check your source and do not fall prey.