A low-tech but cunning malware program is worrying security researchers after it started spreading rapidly in the past week through a new attack vector: by forcibly exploiting vulnerabilities in Facebook and LinkedIn. According to the Israeli security firm Check Point, security flaws in the two social networks allow a maliciously coded image file to download itself to a user's computer.

Users who notice the download, and who then access the file, cause malicious code to install Locky ransomware onto their computers. Locky has been around since early this year, and works by encrypting victims' files and demands a payment of around half a bitcoin (currently £294; $365) for the key.

Unlike the majority of social media sites, LinkedIn is business oriented and focused on networking. This allows it to stand out and has contributed to its immense popularity. However, as we’ve mentioned in the past, as with any form of social media, the more popular a network is, the more likely the chance of security issues.

With the site’s focus on professionalism, it is safe to say that the risk of someone sharing embarrassing photos with too public of an audience shouldn’t be an issue. Well if you are sharing those types of photos on LinkedIn, you may want to reconsider how you are using the platform, because that not exactly what it’s for.