A 6-year-old virus called Zeus is all over Facebook right now. After a malicious link is clicked, Zeus will remain inactive on your computer until someone logs into a bank account, swiping usernames and passwords so hackers can access it.
Zeus-laden links are increasing and becoming more frequent on Facebook, and have been found on many pages.
Of course, there is no fool-proof way to avoid viruses like this one. But there are three ways to avoid becoming the victim of this particular one:
1. Avoid Windows computers if possible.
Business Insider’s Kevin Smith notes that Zeus targets machines running on Windows, and does not work on Mac OS X or Linux. It’s usually not feasible to switch operating systems, but it’s one way of avoiding the virus. However, variants of Zeus that can infect Android and Blackberry smartphones have been found, so it is possible that a modified version of the virus is at work here as well.
2. Don’t click on unknown links.
This is Virus Avoidance 101, but it’s still important to reiterate. Many people don’t realize that all it takes is clicking on a bad link to infect their computer with malware. Rule of thumb: If you don’t know the link’s sender or the link looks strange at all, do not click. It’s not worth the risk.
3. Make sure your bank has 2-step verification.
The more secure your bank’s website is, the safer your money is. Talk to your bank and find the safest way to access your statements, which may be by phone or in person. If you are using online banking, make sure that you never leave yourself logged-in.
Credit: Huffington Post
