Yet again! Facebook becomes the target - Viral Hoax
In the recent month, cyber-criminals have used Facebook to promote their malware campaign, forcing officials to warn the users to look out for fake messages about cloned accounts.
An example depicting the fake message, "Hi….I actually got another friend request from you yesterday…which I ignored so you may want to check your account."
Officials also mentioned that it will request the user to forward this message to everyone in their friend list, following these instructions will spread the hoax to other systems.
While cloned accounts can be an issue -- when fraudsters set up fake accounts using a real person's name -- there isn't a current epidemic, as the fraud message suggests, according to CBS Philly.
The hoax starts by saying that an account has been cloned, which is a lie, scaring the user and making them to share the message to everyone in their friend list.
Officials in Louisiana in a public service message on Facebook warned the users by saying "Your account isn't sending duplicate friend requests. And you didn't receive a request from the person you're forwarding it to,".
"You're simply doing it because the message tells you to."
Facebook said that they were aware of the fraud.
"We've heard that few people have been seeing messages or posts about accounts being cloned on Facebook.
It follows the 'chain mail' kind of notice," a Facebook expert wrote in an email advising users to report fake accounts if they come across any.
The cloned account scam showed up after Facebook reported a security breach, wherein 50 million accounts were accessed by hackers exploiting a bug that affected the popular "View As" feature.
Another 40 million user accounts were at risk from the security flaw before Facebook took steps to protect them, the company said last month.
The security bug authorizes the attackers to steal "access tokens," which is used by Facebook as a digital key to keeping people logged in.
Facebook said the criminals could "take control" of user accounts using the access tokens.
Tips to Prevent virus and malware from Infecting Your System:
- Enable your popup blocker: Pop-ups and ads on the websites are the most adoptable tactic used by cybercriminals or developers with the core intention to spread malicious programs.
So, avoid clicking uncertain sites, software offers, pop-ups etc. and Install a powerful ad- blocker for Chrome, Mozilla, and IE
- Keep your Windows Updated: To avoid such infections, we recommend that you should always keep your system updated through automatic windows update.By doing this you can keep your device free from virus.According to the survey, outdated/older versions of Windows operating system are an easy target.
- Third-party installation: Try to avoid freeware download websites as they usually install bundled of software with any installer or stub file.
- Regular Backup: Regular and periodical backup helps you to keep your data safe in case the system is infected by any kind of virus or any other infection.Thus always backup important files regularly on a cloud drive or an external hard drive.
- Always have an Anti-Virus: Precaution is better than cure. We recommend that you install an antivirus like ITL Total Security or a good Malware Removal Tool like Download Virus RemovalTool
