Facebook hit by 70% rise in hack attacks

A report claims the number of "malware" attacks, which can download harmful software to a user's machine, have more than doubled in the last 12 months.

Experts say social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are now major targets for hackers. Already famous names such as Britney Spears and even Barack Obama have had their accounts compromised and fake messages sent.

The research, by computer security firm Sophos, found malware assaults had increased by 70 per cent in the last 12 months: hackers persuade users to upload harmful software, and can then remote-access the infected machine, checking its hard drive for passwords and bank account details as well as hijacking it to send junk mail.

According to the report, 72 per cent of firms were worried workers' behaviour on social networks was putting their business at risk. And 60 per cent named Facebook as the social network posing the biggest security threat.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, said: "Computer users are spending more time on social networks, sharing sensitive and valuable personal information, and hackers have sniffed out where the money is to be made.

"The dramatic rise in attacks in the last year tells us that social networks and their millions of users have to do more to protect themselves from organised cybercrime, or risk falling prey to identity theft schemes, scams, and malware attacks."

The problem has got larger as the number of people using networking sites grows. Facebook has more than 350 million active users, 50 per cent of whom log on in any given day. The site also says the average user spends more than 55 minutes a day on the site.

"We shouldn't forget Facebook is by far the largest social network, and you'll find more bad apples in the biggest orchard," said Mr Cluley.

"The truth is the security team at Facebook works hard to counter threats on their site — it's just that policing 350 million users can't be an easy job for anyone."

Firms have previously banned their staff from social networking sites, but the new report found many are now relaxing their restrictions.

Sophos's Threat Report also revealed that 49 per cent of firms allowed all staff unfettered access to Facebook, a 13 per cent rise on a year ago.

"The grim irony is that just as companies are loosening their attitude to staff activity on social networks, the threat of malware, spam, phishing and identity theft is increasing," said Mr Cluley.

Using Social Networking Safely

As a general rule, if you wouldn't say it to your boss or your grandmother, don't say it online.

Use the privacy features on the site you use to restrict strangers' access to your profile.

Set up a separate email account that doesn't use your real name and use that to register and receive mail from the site.

Be wary of publishing any identifying information about yourself.

Source: www.getsafeonline.org

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