What Osama bin Laden and Lady Gaga have in common? Both were used last week to perpetuate worms based on the video on social networking sites. A new Facebook virus spreads via a message tempting users with a video of the death of Osama bin Laden. Following the link leads to an investigation and a subsequent spread of the worm through newly infected accounts. There is no video.
Cybercriminals often take advantage of the public's curiosity about world events. The virus Osama will not end with Facebook. Be on the lookout for e-mails, tweets and instant messages soliciting clicks with the promise of new Osama linked.
What can you do to protect yourself? Beware of things that do not seem right and do an internet search when you suspect a fish link. For example, you can search Google news for Osama death video "and watch the results of new returning. If it's a news clip worthy, he will probably be displayed on major media sites. Even if they do not post the clip, they will probably be covering its existence.
Finally, make sure you have a listed Internet security software installed. Many are adding detection tools based on Facebook and they can help prevent the most serious virus.