Is Facebook/Myspace capable of infecting?

[Byron172]

My wife is keen to start using "Facebook" and "Myspace". I have always discouraged her (and others) from using these programs due to the possibility of viruses and identity fraud. What is the opinion of the Security experts, how dangerous are these sites really?

[RichD]

generally they aren't as they dont download any data. It is quite common to try and get your account hacked so that they can spam your friends. make sure that when you get update notifications you dont click on the links in the emails but type the address or use your favourates. I have been using both for a long while and had no problems.

[SpywareShooter]

RichD is correct as far as identity theft and account phishing goes. The worst thing would be to put personal info on your myspace/facebook page. Also watch out for links to sites that LOOK like the real myspace/facebook but are just phishing traps. Always make sure to read the address bar and double check that the site you are logging into is actually the one you want to be logging in to, not a fake. It has happened in teh past (but its rare) that an advertisement viewed from myspace has resulted in a malware infection. It is more common that malware writers set up fake accounts to infect users but they're working on fixing the exploits that let them execute the files from the page and blocking external, potentially dangerous links all the time. It is a pretty slim chance that you'd stumble upon one of those pages. I'd say that if you and your wife are smart about how you use the services, you should be all set.

[RichD]

Personally I find Facebook is better for personal stuff and myspace is better business and promotion. I have found a lot of old friends through facebook. It is really down to the way it works. when you add a new friend all of your existing friends are notified that you are now friends with Dave Smith so they then think I know him and it kind of spreads from there. I have also found there to be much less account hacking and spamming on facebook compared to myspace.

On myspace I regularly get friend requests from complete strangers trying to promote themselves and I quite oftern get requests from young ladys who have pictures of themselves with no clothes on on other sites and if you "want to be their freind" they can show you more!!! This is also another source of possible infection. Myspace have over recent months made improvements to stop spamming.

[Byron172]

Thanks guys, I think we'll go with Facebook and give Myspace a miss.
Cheers.