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Hackers Target MySpace and Facebook

Posted by Zonk on from the facebooker-beware dept.

Stony Stevenson writes "The security firm Fortify Software has warned against a series of attacks against Facebook and MySpace. Buffer overflows that enabled hackers to exploit the Aurigma ActiveX image uploading software used by social networking sites were at the heart of the assault. 'Criminal hackers now view social networking sites as their best target for attacks ... [partially because] such sites are designed to be usable by "unsophisticated" consumers, meaning that the barrier to entry for attacks is potentially lower as users are more likely to click on a link that leads to malware.'"

2 of 93 comments (clear)

  1. Internet Explorer based exploit by prajjwal · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I assume this is an internet explorer based exploit? http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/776931

  2. "Legitimate" businesses target young people too. by gnutoo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Cable, telco and banks and apparel vendors all have young people in their sites. Predatory lending credit cards, special internet "deals" with students and massive advertising budgets that should make the companies involved blush, are aimed at people ages 14 to 25.

    Why? because that's where the money is.

    Why do the theives use ActiveX exploits? Because they can.

    Sheep, meet Mr. Slaughter. Mr. Slaughter .... gross!