Koobface, a virus that targets computers via social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, is apparently back and with added sophistication.

A typical Koobface attack – like the one that surfaced on Twitter last month – comes via a link that purports to be an interesting video (i.e. – someone tweets “my home video” with a link to what looks like a YouTube page). Those videos then tell you that you need to upgrade your Flash player – which, many legitimate videos often do too. Upon “upgrading,” however, the user is infected with the virus. The same Koobface attacks happen on Facebook too.

Recently, Facebook and Twitter has started cracking down on known malicious links, but now, those intent on spreading the virus have added a few twists that will make Koobface more challenging to protect against.

For starters, instead of the same short URL showing up over and over again, which would be easy for Facebook and Twitter to diffuse quickly, the virus is randomising the short link. Additionally, the links now appear to be directed to a well-designed Facebook or Twitter lookalike page. On top of that, the message directing people to the video is being randomised, making it a bit less obvious that its malicious.

While this does indeed make it a bit trickier for Facebook and Twitter to automatically block malicious links, for users, the best advice is to check the actual URL in the address bar before viewing a video after following a link. If it’s not Facebook.com, YouTube.com, or another popular video site, odds are it’s Koobface and you will get infected if you are not careful.

To stay safe when using social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter is to ignore links which ask you to “watch this crazy video” or something similar. By ignoring these links you reduce the chance of a Koobface infection dramatically.

To help you reduce the risk while using social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter be cautious with links to watch videos. If you do want to watch the video do not accept to upgrade your flash player instead just CLICK HERE and go directly to ADOBE and upgrade your player there. Then return back to the video page and odds are you will be prompted that your flash player needs upgrading......................... ......how strange........that will be a potential Koobface attack waiting to happen. So be careful and try to avoid links to watch videos.