Facebook will check every web link its users click on for computer viruses and other dangers as part of efforts to improve the security of the world's largest social network.
From today, hundreds of millions of outbound links every day will be passed through a system provided by the web security firm Websense.
It will effectively visit pages on users' behalf, and apply a series of tests for Trojans, phishing attempts, botnets and other threats.
If the system does not detect a problem with a link, the user will be allowed to visit the page as normal, without any sign that it has been checked. When a threat is detected, however, Facebook will present a warning with links to more information. If the user wants to proceed anyway, they will be allowed.
Facebook is a big target for criminals online, said Spencer Parker of Websense.
Full Article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8803976/Facebook-to-check-every-link-for-viruses.html
From today, hundreds of millions of outbound links every day will be passed through a system provided by the web security firm Websense.
It will effectively visit pages on users' behalf, and apply a series of tests for Trojans, phishing attempts, botnets and other threats.
If the system does not detect a problem with a link, the user will be allowed to visit the page as normal, without any sign that it has been checked. When a threat is detected, however, Facebook will present a warning with links to more information. If the user wants to proceed anyway, they will be allowed.
Facebook is a big target for criminals online, said Spencer Parker of Websense.
Full Article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8803976/Facebook-to-check-every-link-for-viruses.html
