PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FRIENDS! FACEBOOK SECURITY 101!
There have many posts and issues over our security on Facebook. So, it is best that we address this issue in one document that is easy for all to obtain. First off, there are hackers out there that are using chat messages to mimic "Facebook Security". There is a legitimate "Facebook Security" that these perpetrators are preying on and mimicing. Here is the REAL Facebook Security page.
http://www.facebook.com/security
I advise you to go there and complete the 7 question quiz they have. It is aimed at educating all of us of the dangers that are not only on Facebook, but everywhere on the net. Once you complete the quiz it will also give you the option to review more security tips. I advise you do so.
Also, in some cases you might be locked out of your account. You get an email with a link and you follow. This email will be sent to your legitimate email on file, not your chat or Facebook message box. This email should send you to a legitimate Facebook page. If you are skeptical, review the address of the page you are sent to in your browser. It should have an address of:
http://www.facebook.com/xxxxxxx
https://www.facebook.com/xxxxxx
If anything other than those, you are being tricked! See below for more details on being locked out.
Facebook will never send you a request via chat! NEVER! If required, they will send you an email with a link to follow. You will need to follow directions descibed below:
"We'll never ask you to verify your account over email. Instead, you have to first go to www.facebook.com, enter your username and password, and then be told that your account is disabled and directed to a contact form in our Help Center (also on www.facebook.com) where you're asked to provide the required info. We intentionally made the entire process on-site so that people have more confidence that it's not a scam."
Continue reading on Examiner.com. Does Facebook ever ask for ID to verify your account? - National News You Can Use | Examiner.comhttp://www.examiner.com/news-you-can-use-in-national/does-facebook-ever-ask-for-id-to-verify-your-account#ixzz1RR7N32T3
http://facebook.com/
One last thing, if you have any doubts about what has been sent to you via email and it's authenticity, see link below. REMEMBER! ANYTHING LIKE THIS VIA CHAT IS BOGUS! DO NOT RESPOND!! :)
http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=159096464162185
The link above tells you EXACTLY what Facebook would request if needed.
Be smart and safe my friends. This document may be shared at will as long as it is shared in it's entirety. :-) THANX Assistant Cafe
Recent Activity 7/23/11:
This is what happens to those that followed one of the links in the bogus "24 hrs and Facebook will shut you down" scams. People that this is happening to have fallen for the bait, clicked on the link, entered their user id and password thinking they were saving their account. But in reality, the hacker just got their info. The hacker returns some time later, maybe minutes, hours or days. Logs in and takes over.
The hacker then uses that account to send more mesaages to that users' friends. They also have used credit card numbers and paypal accounts to buy stuff. :( SO PLEASE! DO NOT FALL FOR THESE TRICKS! :)
As long as noone follows the link in these bogus 24 hours and shutdown messages and enters in their user info to login, you will be fine. There is no need to block unless you just don't want to get the messages that might ask you to do the above mentioned. Of course, you can block for your own sense of security as well, but these accounts are harmless as long as one does not act on the messages they may send.
They are targeting any and all gamers. Gamers are the ones most likely to have a CC or Paypal linked to their account. The only thing you can do to keep yourself safe is be aware of these tricks. Like I said, yes, you can block them, but it makes no difference if you do or not.
Just be aware and don't click on or believe anything that comes to you via a chat pop-up or in your messages. FB will only contact you via your legitimate email address on file or they will address you upon logging in to your account. Even via email you still need to be leery and confirm that the address they want you to click on is a valid Facebook address. If you have doubts about the address that is linked in an email, seek assistance, whether here or another group or Facebook themselves.
But mainly, NEVER respond to anything like this that pops in chat or comes to your inbox here on Facebook. They will only send to your email on file or address you upon login. :)
Blocking only blocks any contact from that one taken over account. But what about the others that fall for it? If this keeps spreading like it is, soon you have all your friends blocked. The only true defense is to be aware and not fall for it.
Now, yes, it appears that at least initially, the hacker logs in, changes the name and profile pic, but does not change the email or password. So yes, if an infected user can login to their account, they need to first change the password. Second, remove any links to a credit card or PayPal account. Third, contact both your bank and PayPal and notify them of the situation and alert them to any possible fraudulent charges. Fourth, notify Facebook that your account has been hacked. Fifth, I would suggest changing the email account as well. And last but not least, find out why this happened to you and what you can do to avoid it in the future. This happened because of your lack of knowledge, fix that immediately. ;)
Be safe and Happy Facebooking! :)
http://www.facebook.com/security
I advise you to go there and complete the 7 question quiz they have. It is aimed at educating all of us of the dangers that are not only on Facebook, but everywhere on the net. Once you complete the quiz it will also give you the option to review more security tips. I advise you do so.
Also, in some cases you might be locked out of your account. You get an email with a link and you follow. This email will be sent to your legitimate email on file, not your chat or Facebook message box. This email should send you to a legitimate Facebook page. If you are skeptical, review the address of the page you are sent to in your browser. It should have an address of:
http://www.facebook.com/xxxxxxx
https://www.facebook.com/xxxxxx
If anything other than those, you are being tricked! See below for more details on being locked out.
Facebook will never send you a request via chat! NEVER! If required, they will send you an email with a link to follow. You will need to follow directions descibed below:
"We'll never ask you to verify your account over email. Instead, you have to first go to www.facebook.com, enter your username and password, and then be told that your account is disabled and directed to a contact form in our Help Center (also on www.facebook.com) where you're asked to provide the required info. We intentionally made the entire process on-site so that people have more confidence that it's not a scam."
Continue reading on Examiner.com. Does Facebook ever ask for ID to verify your account? - National News You Can Use | Examiner.comhttp://www.examiner.com/news-you-can-use-in-national/does-facebook-ever-ask-for-id-to-verify-your-account#ixzz1RR7N32T3
http://facebook.com/
One last thing, if you have any doubts about what has been sent to you via email and it's authenticity, see link below. REMEMBER! ANYTHING LIKE THIS VIA CHAT IS BOGUS! DO NOT RESPOND!! :)
http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=159096464162185
The link above tells you EXACTLY what Facebook would request if needed.
Be smart and safe my friends. This document may be shared at will as long as it is shared in it's entirety. :-) THANX Assistant Cafe
Recent Activity 7/23/11:
This is what happens to those that followed one of the links in the bogus "24 hrs and Facebook will shut you down" scams. People that this is happening to have fallen for the bait, clicked on the link, entered their user id and password thinking they were saving their account. But in reality, the hacker just got their info. The hacker returns some time later, maybe minutes, hours or days. Logs in and takes over.
The hacker then uses that account to send more mesaages to that users' friends. They also have used credit card numbers and paypal accounts to buy stuff. :( SO PLEASE! DO NOT FALL FOR THESE TRICKS! :)
As long as noone follows the link in these bogus 24 hours and shutdown messages and enters in their user info to login, you will be fine. There is no need to block unless you just don't want to get the messages that might ask you to do the above mentioned. Of course, you can block for your own sense of security as well, but these accounts are harmless as long as one does not act on the messages they may send.
They are targeting any and all gamers. Gamers are the ones most likely to have a CC or Paypal linked to their account. The only thing you can do to keep yourself safe is be aware of these tricks. Like I said, yes, you can block them, but it makes no difference if you do or not.
Just be aware and don't click on or believe anything that comes to you via a chat pop-up or in your messages. FB will only contact you via your legitimate email address on file or they will address you upon logging in to your account. Even via email you still need to be leery and confirm that the address they want you to click on is a valid Facebook address. If you have doubts about the address that is linked in an email, seek assistance, whether here or another group or Facebook themselves.
But mainly, NEVER respond to anything like this that pops in chat or comes to your inbox here on Facebook. They will only send to your email on file or address you upon login. :)
Blocking only blocks any contact from that one taken over account. But what about the others that fall for it? If this keeps spreading like it is, soon you have all your friends blocked. The only true defense is to be aware and not fall for it.
Now, yes, it appears that at least initially, the hacker logs in, changes the name and profile pic, but does not change the email or password. So yes, if an infected user can login to their account, they need to first change the password. Second, remove any links to a credit card or PayPal account. Third, contact both your bank and PayPal and notify them of the situation and alert them to any possible fraudulent charges. Fourth, notify Facebook that your account has been hacked. Fifth, I would suggest changing the email account as well. And last but not least, find out why this happened to you and what you can do to avoid it in the future. This happened because of your lack of knowledge, fix that immediately. ;)
Be safe and Happy Facebooking! :)