Security threats, every Facebook users need to be aware!
Author: admin | Category: Cyber Security, Facebook | Leave a Comment
Security threats every Facebook users need to be aware!
There are scam artists who target people on Facebook just as they do in email and on many other sites. If a message from a friend sounds a little strange, it might be someone posing as your friend. Don’t be “socially engineered.” Scams are called “social engineering” because they use tricks, not sophisticated technology, to get you to take some action that could jeopardize your security or privacy.
These security threats are not unique to Facebook, but Facebook users need to be aware of them. Here are some examples:
• A “phishing attack” could be an email message with a link to what looks like the Facebook log-in page but is really an imposter page that records your username and password so the phishers can use your account to send spam messages or malicious links to your Facebook friends, etc.
• Malicious programs like Koobface can spread via spam email and Facebook messages that encourage you to click on a link or download malicious software (“malware”).
• “Clickjacking” and “Likejacking” use links too. What may look like a Facebook post with a link to tantalizing content could redirect you to a site that plants malware on your device or posts bad links on your own Facebook profile that make it look like you “like” a Web site or someone else’s post. It can also trick you into revealing confidential personal
information. If someone asks you to copy and paste some text into your browser window or to modify your browser settings, it could be a trick. Don’t do it.
• Fake apps: We sometimes hear about apps or programs that do things not supported by Facebook, such as, “see who viewed your timeline.” Be alert and avoid using them!
• Money transfer scams: If you hear from a friend who says he or she is stuck in some far-away place and needs money for a flight home, that friend’s Facebook account was probably hacked. Before sending money, give your friend a call to check it out! That goes for “charities” seeking donations, Nigerian-type scammers looking for help with transferring large
amounts of money, and contests offering big winnings if you “click here.”
