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Facebook besieged by Koobface virus

PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 5 (UPI) -- A computer virus dubbed Koobface had been running rampant on the social networking Web site Facebook, U.S. computer experts warn.

Wired News reported Friday that the McAfee labs virus watchdog blog said the virus uses Facebook's private messaging system to spread itself to additional users. Facebook users will receive a message from an infected profile that offers them a video link paired with the message, "You look just awesome in this new movie."

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The link takes users to a separate Web site that recommends installing an update to watch the video. But the download is actually the virus itself and installing it leads to another infected computer.

The way the Koobface virus spreads means Facebook is particularly vulnerable as the Web site has an estimated 120 million users, Wired News said.

Facebook security experts recommend running anti-virus software to detect and remove the worm virus, as well as resetting your Facebook password as a precaution.

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