Web 2.0 Struggles With Privacy, Malware

Facebook is in the midst of one of the largest malicious attacks it has faced. A message urging users to view a video seemingly hosted by Google. Clicking on the video link leads users to a site requesting them to download software in order to view the video. If they choose to download the software, their computer is compromised.

This isn't the first malicious attack on Facebook, only the latest in a long line of attacks aimed at social networking and Web 2.0 users. Trend Micro, an Internet security firm, estimates an increase in attacks from 15 million a month last year to roughly 50 million in March of this year.

Social media sites make good targets for these attacks because of the interconnections and social aspects of the site and the amount of personal information stored in profiles. And these sites have thus far done a poor job of protecting that information. Recent security holes in MySpace and Facebook have allowed private information to become exposed, and the sites are playing a game of catch up in terms of securing themselves against malicious attacks.

The threat of attack is also catching the eye of the insurance industry. Hartford Financial Products recently announced a new product: CyberChoice 2.0. This product protects social media websites in the event that the personal information stored on the site becomes compromised.

That might help out the companies, but what can individuals do to help protect themselves from these attacks?

Treat social media sites with the same suspicion that you treat email.

We've all learned to greet email messages with raised eyebrows. Not downloading random attachments that are sent to our email accounts is pretty much standard operating procedure. This same skepticism must also be applied to social media websites. Avoid clicking on links from suspicious messages, and if you are told you need to download something to view a linked picture or video clip, always refuse.