Social networking websites like Facebook is so convenient that,spammers can simply gain access to your personal information like your location,online status etc, through distorted wall posts,videos and links.But fortunately,there are some simple measures you can take to avoid this spammers.
Below are the 5 most popular scams you should avoid:
1.Explicit Photos And Videos
Almost everyday we see latest form of viral videos and photos,which are mostly shocking, scandalous or racy.Unfortunately most of them are fake sex scandals videos and photos of female celebrities.
whenever you click the links to watch it,These are some of the notification you will get:
- Share before being allowed to see the video
- Download a particular software
- Update your video player first
- Fill out a survey
But you actually installing malwares,which automatically share the scam with all of your friends,Because there is a hidden code that will cause a Facebook “like” to appear on your timeline, which encourages your friends who see it to also click on the fake video or photo.
You can easily avoid this by typing the video’s title into Google. You should see a link to it on YouTube or any trusted site. If the video isn’t on YouTube or a legitimate news site, it’s a scam.
2.Find who viewed your profile
Knowing who views your profile can be great idea.Everybody want to know who is stalking them?
This spammers are so intelligent that,they know what we really want,because they has been around almost as long as Facebook. No matter how often Facebook says it isn’t possible, people still want to believe it is.
They claim their app can be able to tell you who is viewing your Facebook profile,If you make an attempt and click on the link, you will be prompted to like the app, which again encourages your friends to click on the same fake link. From there, you’ll be asked to give the app permission to access your Facebook account,If you do so, not only will everyone on your friend list get a spam message from you, you’ll also be prompted to take various surveys—all without ever receiving information about who’s been spying on you.
3.Free giveaways
Free giveaways is one of the easiest scam to fall for on Facebook.This ranges from gift cards to free tablets, laptops and smartphones. To get one of this freebies, you just need to fill out your information or take a survey which is very harmful.
In emails too,this form of freebies survey sometimes pop up,which either tricks you into giving your personal information or notify you to download malicious software. It’s just better to avoid these surveys entirely.
Companies don’t rarely give out something through Facebook. When it does, it’s usually promoted on that company’s Facebook page or website. If you check their page or site and don’t see a giveaway, stay clear away.
4.Custom profiles
Another common scam which claims to change the color of Facebook profiles from the default blue to any preferred color.It also claim to change your layout.
These one trick you to install a Facebook app.If you click on the link,you will be permitted to authorize the app to access your Facebook account,which actually send spam messages to all your friends.Furthermore,after clicking to install the app, it still won’t give it to you until you fill out a survey.Yet there will be no change in how your profile layout or looks.
You can easily avoid this too.Always keep in mind that there’s no official, or unofficial, way to change your Facebook layout. An extension like Social Fixer can change the looks just for you,but not how other people see it.
5.Copyright and Privacy Rights Protection Scam
Currently there’s been news spreading around that Facebook tells users that, posting a specific legal notice to their Facebook wall allows them to retain the copyright of any content they post on the site as well as protect their rights to privacy.In Contrary,Facebook says:
There is a rumor circulating that Facebook is making a change related to ownership of users’ information or the content they post to the site. This is false. Anyone who uses Facebook owns and controls the content and information they post, as stated in our terms. They control how that content and information is shared. That is our policy, and it always has been.
Note:If you ever fall for one of these scams for any reason above,I recommend you to remove any references from your profile and always delete any fake app that has been linked to your Facebook account.
You can do that by clicking the small arrow on the top right of your screen, then Account Settings >> Apps. Also,go to your Timeline and click your “Likes” icon at the top of the page,And Unlike any Likes you don’t recognize.
Hope this little article helps, if you have any question,just let me know in the comment below,Don’t forget to share it with your friends on Facebook.
