It has finally happened. Facebook, the second most trafficked social media site in the world, with more than sixty-nine million active users, has become the carrier of a virus.
The virus has appeared so far in four known forms. Its most recognized manifestation is ironically called “Secret Crush,” a Facebook application that came out in early January. There are three other versions, one for Yahoo messenger and two for MSN. “They are all related, as far as we can tell,” said RTA Jeff Mead ’08.
The virus accessed users’ profiles, passwords, and personal information through a tricky process. “In early January, there was a Secret Crush application that if you added it to your profile, it could access your account,” explained RTA Jeff Mead ’08. While adding the application, Facebook users were asked personal information which allowed the virus to access profiles. Before they could officially download the “Secret Crush” application, users had to invite at least five friends to do the same, which spread the application and exponentially increased “Secret Crush” downloads. “Some of the RTA’s have been thinking it’s a key logger, which records whatever the person’s typing in, and sends it back to the person who created it.” said David Hollister ’09. This may explain how the virus could access profiles and write on walls without a Facebook user’s knowledge.
Only recently has the virus come to the Choate Facebook network and infected students’ profiles. But the virus spread quickly through wall posts and invitations to the Secret Crush application. Amy Hackett ’10 explained how even conscientious Facebook users got the bug: “I had the Secret Crush virus. However, at least in my situation, I didn’t click on a Secret Crush link. [A friend of mine] sent me a post that said something along the lines of ‘Hey! I’m going to delete this profile, so here’s a link to my new one. Add it! (link)’ So, without thinking, I clicked on the link. A page came up saying ‘you must log in to see this page!’ So I put in my email address and my password—bad move—and ta-da, I had given them access to my account.”
Other students don’t know why they got the virus. “I didn’t click on anything, but my friend emailed me at 5:30 AM one morning, telling me I had it,” said Stephanie Choi ’09, who was victim to the “Nicky Wicky” version of the virus. “When I checked my Facebook, I already had around ten wall posts. The virus even made me write on my own wall!”
Students who didn’t get the virus were also affected. “I was besieged with wall posts!” exclaimed James Barasch ’10. Gabrielle Sigel ’10 commented, “I use Facebook all the time, and emails about crushes are clogging up my Inbox and my Facebook wall, but I feel really terrible for people whose names are being falsely used to send the virus.”
Even after changing passwords several times, students with the virus had difficulties with Facebook. “I don’t know if it was just coincidence, but my password has been really screwy, and I still have to reset it every now and then,” said Amy Hackett. There have also been problems with inboxes and wall postings. Stephanie Choi said, “I tried to write Happy Birthday on people’s walls, but Facebook kept telling me I had exceeded the limit for wall posts.” Mr. Speyer of ITS is perplexed: “I know [the virus] filled up student’s Facebook inboxes, they got clogged completely. I don’t know how [the hackers] did it.”
The solution? Facebook users need to change their passwords and delete all “Secret Crush” wall posts or invitations. But most importantly, students should be cautious when using Facebook. “Never click on attachments or links that you’re unsure of,” warned Mr. Speyer. “A virus can’t start unless you launch it.” The RTA’s have similar advice: “If you don’t click on the link, there’s no way for it to gain access and control to your account,” said David Hollister ’09.
Disappointment in the beloved Facebook site pervaded the campus. “Frankly, I’m disturbed that Facebook would be subject to such a virus,” commented James Barasch ’10. “In my one-point-five years of using Facebook, I have never had any problems or any inconvenience of any kind. Facebook touts its security very highly, so this breach is particularly disturbing.” Other students echoed Barasch’s sentiments. “I was really surprised that there was a virus on Facebook in the first place,” said Stephanie Choi ’09. “It’s really bad, everyone here could be affected because so many people use it.”
Facebook is so popular at Choate that students are alarmed that one virus has affected so many students and worry about what future viruses could do to the social media giant. This virus has caused Choate students to rethink what information they put online. Mr. Speyer said, “I think social networking has a place, has good points, but it has to be taken with caution. I do think kids are sloppy with their privacy, too willing to give up too much information about themselves. Kids give out their real birthday and hometown. Stupid! They create groups asking people for lost phone numbers. Stupid!” Jeff Mead ’08 said, “[This virus] will cause students to be a little more wary of what they do, and what information they give out.”
