Facebook users are being targeted by a new virus that uses the website's messaging system to infect PCs and gather personal information such as credit-card numbers.

The new virus, Koobface, spreads by sending messages to the friends of the individual whose PC has been infected. The messages direct users to websites that claim that an Adobe Systems' Flash player update is required. If the user downloads the software, their PC will be infected and will take them to contaminated sites when they attempt to use search engines, such as Google, MSN, Yahoo! and Live.com.

"A few other viruses have tried to use Facebook in similar ways to propagate themselves," said Facebook spokesman Barry Schnitt.

Schnitt also noted that a "very small percentage of users" have been affected by these viruses.

Facebook users can find out how to clean out infected PCs by going to www.facebook.com/security.

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