Facebook users:

[kentuck]

Last edited Sat Apr 9, 2016, 08:55 AM - Edit history (1)

This happened to me yesterday evening. The pop-up message came up on Facebook and I saw the name of a friend but it wasn't really the friend. It was "ransomware". He said, "Howdy, how are you doing, Ken"? I never thought about it being a fraudulent message.

But then, he asked for some help with a "little bill". Since I knew my friend would never ask anyone for any money, I became suspicious. He wanted $400-500 sent by Western Union to a different address, he said. I told him I would get back to him shortly.

Since it came thru on the pop-up message screen, I went into the Control Panel and into the "Add/Remove Programs" and removed "Adobe Flash". I then removed the messages and name of the "Friend" from Facebook page. (You can add it back later) I then re-started computer and re-installed latest version of Adobe Flash.

Adobe had a news report about it yesterday. Be aware of the pop-up messages on Facebook. It may not be who you think it is.

http://money.cnn.com/2016/04/08/technology/adobe-emergency-update/

[peacebird]

1. Thank you for posting this

[cannabis_flower]

2. I don't think

that is related to the Adobe issue. Ransomeware is when a popup demands the money or it will lock up your computer and destroy your data. This scam has been going on for a while. I had a "friend" instant message me on Facebook and say he was in Greece and his wallet had been stolen and he needed me to wire him $500 to get home - this was years ago before the Adobe issue. I didn't send it because a) I didn't have it and b) he wasn't that good of a friend. Later the actual friend posted a message that his account had been hacked.

[lastlib]

3. yes, indeed, thanks!

Apparently older versions of Adobe Flash have a security flaw that allows hackers to load some type of ransomware. It's probably a good idea for everyone to update their Flash player version.

[KG]

4. adobe flash -LOL

[LittleGirl]

5. If you use Adobe Flash, here's a link

to the download.

Make sure you UNCHECK the McAfee and other crap in the middle of the screen first.

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

[EV_Ares]

6. Thanks for the heads-up. Just for info Malwarebytes now has in beta a Anti-ransomware you can try

out. Others have some as well I think. I always keep everything up to date along with the anti-virus, Malwarebytes & have already updated Adobe. Besides that you always have to stay alert like you did.

[NightWatcher]

7. It's definitely a scam. All my friends know that I don't have $500

[RoccoR5955]

8. You have not been doing updates.

You have to keep your software up to date. It is crucial. If you do not keep your software patched, you will succumb to these, and other types of malware attacks.
Take it from me, I am a network/support technician for about 2500 users, and have been one for 27 years.
Keep Acrobat, Flash, Java, Windows, and your antivirus/amtimalware of choice updated. Make sure that the antivirus/antimalware updates AT VERY LEAST DAILY!

Keep yourself aware of how to secure your computer and network by subscribing to this free monthly newsletter: https://securingthehuman.sans.org/resources/newsletters/ouch/2016
There are also copies of the newsletter dating back to January 2014 available in a large assortment of languages.

[ET Awful]

9. Bingo. As an IT Operations Lead for a very large company . . . .

At least 90% of all security risks, virus infections, data loss and PC problems in general are due to poor patching and updating practices.

Failing to keep your antivirus, malware and operating systems current with the latest patches WILL eventually result in a problem, it's not a matter of if but when.

[RoccoR5955]

10. Yep. Have you checked out SANS Ouch! Newsletter?

It really is an excellent resource for the end user. I give it to the managers every month. Sometimes they pass it on to the usership, sometimes they don't. There's a link on my previous post.

[ET Awful]

11. I have not, I'll have to look into it.

These days, I spend so much time managing people that I hardly have time to get into the actual nuts and bolts