Valentine Day wallpaper download can be dangerous: Trend Micro

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Though love and caution don't generally gel well, they become inseparable when it comes to cyber security on Valentine's Day.  

Cyber criminals are rolling out a scam on Facebook, according to researchers at Trend Micro, a security company.

Here's how it works: The hackers post on the walls of affected users inviting other users to install a Valentine’s theme into their Facebook profile (See Image).

Once the users click on the post, they are automatically redirected to another page urging them to install the theme. Clicking the Install button on the page will prompt the downloading of the malicious file FacebookChrome.crx, which Trend Micro detects as TROJ_FOOKBACE.A.

Once this malicious browser extension is installed, it will monitor the users’ browsing activities and redirect their page to a survey page asking them for their mobile numbers. But the solace is this works on Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browsers only.

Suchita Vishnoi, head marketing, Trend Micro (India & SAARC), said the fact that the attack itself is focused on Chrome and Firefox may mean that cyber criminals are targeting extension-compatible browsers, as well as going after more popular browser choices.

Recently, end-point security firm Symantec observed that cyber criminals were using Valentine’s Day to snag unsuspecting individuals in their trap by using various techniques through social networking sites.

“In fact, this is more insidious than traditional Valentine’s Day email spam, since it employs various information-stealing techniques through fake applications targeting this special day. Users are redirected to a survey site, where they are conned into revealing personal information. As social networks open their platforms to third-party developers, we have seen several instances of fake applications that leverage the large user base and trusted environments that these sites are perceived to be,” said Abhijit Limaye, director, Development, Symantec.

A word of caution from us. If you come across any mails with the following subject lines DON'T open them:

• Impossibly delicious berries from $19.99 - the PERFECT gift for Valentines Day!

• Valentine's Day sweepstakes

• Order Now!  Valentine's Day Flowers and Gifts from $19.99!

• Seduce your Valentine with our most loving gifts

• Valentine's Day Special Discount Offer - Flowers, Plants & Gifts

• FB: Installing Valentine's theme can be dangerous