Security experts Trend Micro discovered the Steckt.Evl virus which pops up in facebook chat as a link from a friend, and will infect your computer if you click on it.
‘The worm propagates via instant messaging applications and social networking sites,’ said Trend Micro. ‘The instant message it sends is a link that downloads a copy of itself.’
Initially the worm disables anti-virus software before deleting it entirely and downloading other harmful software.
‘It also deletes the files that are related to the processes or services it terminates. It does the said routine to keep itself running on the affected system.’
The worm can be used to create zombie machines for DDoS attacks, like those carried out on Mastercard and Amazon, or to control the computer in order to steal personal information such as bank account details.