How to Easily Get Viruses from Facebook

I didn't realise it was so easy to get viruses from Facebook but today I faced a possible virus infection from Facebook.

It all started out with a chat from someone who, although I know, I never chatted before on Facebook. So I replied to him but his reply sounded suspicious. And then a link appeared.

Normally I would caution you not to click on any links but since I knew this was a valid website, I clicked on the link.

It then took me to YouTube looking page with my name on it and when I scrolled down, a list of comments from some of my friends and some unknown people. I assumed these were names of people who were gullible enough to click on the Download it from Adobe link.

First note of a fake website - check the URL (see item in yellow). It points to a number. That is wrong. It should be www.youtube.com. Even if the URL looks similar to Youtube, always check carefully. I saw a similar website with the title www.youtubes.com  <-- note the extra S in youtubes. Be aware.

When you put your mouse over the Download it from Adobe, see the target URL below (follow Red arrow). The filename shows Flash-Player.exe but the source of the file is from a fake website.

Never download EXE files from unknown websites, even if they were sent to you by your friends.

For your information, the fake website resides in Hungary, see information below.


% APNIC found the following authoritative answer from: whois.ripe.net
% This is the RIPE Database query service.
% The objects are in RPSL format.
%
% The RIPE Database is subject to Terms and Conditions.
% See http://www.ripe.net/db/support/db-terms-conditions.pdf
% Note: this output has been filtered.
%       To receive output for a database update, use the "-B" flag.
% Information related to '188.36.0.0 - 188.36.119.255'
inetnum:        188.36.0.0 - 188.36.119.255
netname:        T-HOME-CATV
descr:          T-HOME broadband customers dynamic address pool
country:        hu
admin-c:        bat3-ripe
tech-c:         bat3-ripe
status:         assigned pa
remarks:        infra-aw
mnt-by:         tcom-mnt
source:         RIPE # Filtered
person:         Attila Balogh
address:        Magyar Telecom
address:        R&D Directorate
address:        Magyar Tudosok korutja 9.
address:        Budapest
address:        H-1117 Hungary
phone:          +36 1 481 7406
fax-no:         +36 1 481 7455
e-mail:         bat@netadmin.hu
nic-hdl:        BAT3-RIPE
mnt-by: tcom-mnt
source:         RIPE # Filtered
% Information related to '188.36.0.0/16as5483'
route:          188.36.0.0/16
descr:          Hungarian Telekom
origin:         as5483
mnt-by:         tcom-mnt
source:         ripe # Filtered




188.36.108.214 - Geo Information
IP Address 188.36.108.214
Host - BC246CD6.dsl.pool.telekom.hu
Location -  HU, Hungary
City - Budapest,
05 - Organization - T-HOME broadband customers dynamic address pool
ISP - Magyar Telekom plc.
AS Number - AS5483 Magyar Telekom plc.
Latitude - 47°50'00" North
Longitude - 19°08'33" East
Distance - 630.06 km (391.50 miles)

Finally, Some Sensible Advise on How to Prevent H1N1

This is Probably The Most Sensible Advice About H1N1 That I Have Heard!

How to prevent H1N1 Tips


Thanks to media hype about H1N1, several people who trust me have either approached or called me to advice. The hype in media about the utility of face masks and N95 respirators as a tool for general protection against H1N1 can't be deplored enough.

Yesterday, a friend who listened wanted me to write down briefly what I advised so that he could tell others in similar words. Hence this short email to friends whom I have advised recently (and others whom I haven't yet).

Please realize that this is not an official advice, especially the one about face masks or N95. Most N95 respirators are designed to filter 95% particulates of 0.3µ, while the size of H1N1 virus is about 0.1µ. Hence, dependence on N95 to protect against H1N1 is like protecting against rain with an umbrella made of mosquito net.


Tamiflu does not kill but prevents H1N1 from further proliferation till the virus limits itself in about 1-2 weeks (its natural cycle). H1N1, like other Influenza A viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tract and proliferates (only) there. The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/ throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions.

Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.


While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps - not fully highlighted in most official communications - can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):


1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).


2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat or bathe).


3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.


4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.


5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.


6. Drink as much of warm liquids as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.


7. All these are simple ways to prevent, within means of most households, and certainly much less painful than to wait in long queues outside public hospitals.

Happy breathing!