Protect Yourself: Facebook Video Viruses, Scams & Pranks

Staying Secure on Facebook: A Guide to Avoiding Scams and Pranks

Given Facebook’s widespread popularity and large user base, it unfortunately attracts individuals who attempt to exploit less tech-savvy users. Many deceptive schemes, pranks, and even harmful software are disseminated through the platform.

Identifying these threats can be challenging, even for experienced internet users. Therefore, understanding preventative measures is crucial for a safe Facebook experience.

Here are several recommendations to help you maintain your security while using Facebook.

Critical Evaluation: Questioning What You See

A recent example of a Facebook scam involved a video titled 'this is without doubt the sexiest video ever!'.

This situation highlights the importance of vigilance in protecting yourself from potential embarrassment and, more seriously, computer damage. The sexiest video scam manifested as a post on users’ Facebook walls, often spread by compromised accounts.

Consider these questions when encountering suspicious content:

Was the video, link, or post shared by someone you recognize? Avoid interacting with content from unknown sources.
If a friend posted the content, does it align with their typical behavior? If the post seems uncharacteristic, your friend’s account may have been compromised, and you should refrain from engaging with it.
Does the link, post, or video exhibit any suspicious characteristics? In the example cited, clicking the video led to an application page requesting access to your profile and friend list before allowing viewing. Granting such access is a significant security risk and should be avoided.

The Value of Information

Staying informed about current Facebook threats is a powerful defense against scams and pranks. A valuable resource is the Facebook Security page, accessible by clicking the 'Like' button to view updates in your news feed.

This page provides timely information on recent scams, pranks, and security threats circulating on Facebook, and often includes links to external resources on online safety and privacy.

Furthermore, explore additional resources and articles related to Facebook security, privacy, and helpful tips.

Maintaining a Secure Computer System

A keen eye and awareness of potential threats can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to scams on Facebook. While even security professionals can occasionally make mistakes, learning from these experiences is essential.

Ensure your operating system, web browser, and antivirus software are consistently updated. Many antivirus programs and browsers can identify and warn you about malicious links and websites.

Exercise Caution with Trust

It’s important to remember that you cannot always be certain of the sender of a message or the author of a post on your wall. While not every message or post requires scrutiny, exercise caution and consider the questions mentioned earlier if something appears unusual.

Recent discussions surrounding Facebook’s privacy controls and data sharing practices underscore the importance of every action you take on the platform, including friend requests and link clicks.

The principle of “with great power comes great responsibility” is particularly relevant to Facebook, given its immense popularity and potential for misuse. Remaining vigilant against scams, pranks, and malicious intent is crucial.

We hope these suggestions contribute to a safer Facebook experience. Feel free to share any additional tips or insights in the comments below!