Visit Zango on MySpace -- I Dare You

As the popularity of MySpace continues to grow, so too do the number of predators crawling within its virtual borders.

Not too long ago, Infopackets columnist Chris Sabga wrote a story on the dangers for children and teenagers with MySpace accounts -- but recently, threats to pretty much anyone are becoming apparent. The most notable is Zango, the Spyware program that has established its own MySpace account and is thrusting .exe files at anyone silly or curious enough to drop in.

For the most part, MySpace has avoided Spyware invaders, including Direct Revenue, the massively spreading malware company yours truly recent discussed. However, Zango has made it through and constructs two types of profiles. One demands visitors download a special little toolbar designed to protect kids (but probably not your computer's registry), while the other launches a mischievous popup.

The latter disguises itself as a videofile license, when in reality installs the latest version of Zango's Search Assistant and accompanying toolbar. (Source: vitalsecurity.org)

The trick lies in the forum Zango is using. The typical popup while surfing a website would undergo appropriate scrutiny, but in this case users -- many of which will be youths -- might simply assume the license is required to play an entertaining video. That's what MySpace is all about, right? (Source: gigaom.com)

MySpace is currently scrambling to answer tech criticisms of its role in spreading Zango Spyware. Given the popularity of MySpace, it would be a shame if it became yet another victim of bloodthirsty malware goons.

It wouldn't be the first time, though.