Facebook banner ad serves an exploit
Security researcher Roger Thompson got a surprise the other night when he borrowed a computer to view a friend's Facebook blog--Internet Explorer wanted to download some malicious Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) objects. That didn't seem right, so he tried another computer, and said "I got extra copies of the browser starting, and ads being served."
Thompson is no stranger to such tricks. He heads Exploit Prevention Labs, a company that specializes in finding and mitigating browser exploits found on Web pages. This attack really surprised him. It uses an exploit of MS06-014, which means if your computer has been updated with the latest patches from Microsoft issued since September 2006, you won't experience a thing. But if you haven't updated your Windows computer in more than one year, you'll be subjected to a barrage of unwanted adware.
On an infected machine, a Google homepage now shows adware.
(Credit: Roger Thompson/Explabs)
As CNET's resident security expert, Robert Vamosi has been interviewed on the BBC, CNN, MSNBC, and other outlets to share his knowledge about the latest online threats and to offer advice on personal and corporate security. Listen to his podcast at securitybites.cnet.com or e-mail Robert with your questions and comments.
year, you are kind of asking for problems.
At the same time, Facebook probably should take of the problem
and inform the advertiser of the situation.