How to Avoid Facebook Malware
Use common sense when deciding whether or not a claim is legitimate., Review the Facebook Malware Guidelines., Look for sensationalist language or intensifiers., Practice general internet safety., Refrain from giving apps your password or credit...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Use common sense when deciding whether or not a claim is legitimate.
The adage "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't true" is most applicable on the internet.
If you have the slightest about a link or an app telling you that you've won a free iPad or there are embarrassing photos of you being uploaded, don't click on it.Often times, malware will use your Facebook friends to send you links to external websites.
Be sure to ask your friend(s) in question if they actually sent the link before opening it. -
Step 2: Review the Facebook Malware Guidelines.
Doing so will provide you with a decent overview of what you can expect Facebook to do (and what they won't do) as far as inquiries about your personal information go. , If you see a link or application posted by a friend with a sensationalist phrase attached (e.g., "you won't believe this works until you try it"), their account may be posting spam because of malware.
Similarly, intensifiers such as "wow" or "OMG" are often used in spam posts due to their eye-catching potential.The context of the language here is important, of course.
If the friend in question commonly posts in this manner, you have far less to suspect than if your friend is usually straightforward or well-spoken on Facebook.
This concept also applies to messaging within Facebook.
If a friend messages you something that seems dissonant with your history or the way they speak, don't open the link.
If you see a friend posting the same link verbatim to several different friends' walls, it's probably spam. , While malware tends to be disguised, using these simple preventative measures will help you avoid it for the most part:
Logging out of Facebook on shared or public computers Changing your password often Accepting friends requests only from people you know Keeping your login information private , As per Facebook's terms of use, Facebook employees will never ask for your payment or account information through an app or a message.
You should only enter these credentials within the fields to which they pertain (e.g., enter your Facebook password in the "Password" field when logging in). , You can typically trust .gov or .org sites, but watch out for links that start with bit.ly.
Malware usually disguises malicious links as shorter-than-usual links. , When you add a new app to your page, you'll probably receive a pop-up window asking you to click Allow in order to provide the app with personal details such as your location, first and last name, and date of birth.
Unless the app in question is a verified one (e.g., Google, Pandora, Instagram), don't click Allow or you put your account at risk for contracting malware.
Sometimes malware will manifest as a notification that, when clicked, prompts you to allow Facebook access to your personal information.
If you click on a notification and are subsequently prompted to click Allow, it's probably malware., There are a few ways you can handle the situation if you find out you've been spammed or are now spamming others:
Remove spam wall posts by either clicking the "X" to the right of the post, or marking it as spam via the same drop-down menu.
Review potential malware apps by clicking Settings from the drop-down menu in the top right corner of your page, then clicking Apps.
You can delete malware apps and games from here.
Change your Facebook password.
Consider enabling secure browsing via Facebook Security settings. -
Step 3: Look for sensationalist language or intensifiers.
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Step 4: Practice general internet safety.
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Step 5: Refrain from giving apps your password or credit card information.
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Step 6: Double-check links before you click on them.
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Step 7: Be careful when allowing apps to access your Facebook profile.
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Step 8: Take action as soon as possible if you do fall for a spam link or page.
Detailed Guide
The adage "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't true" is most applicable on the internet.
If you have the slightest about a link or an app telling you that you've won a free iPad or there are embarrassing photos of you being uploaded, don't click on it.Often times, malware will use your Facebook friends to send you links to external websites.
Be sure to ask your friend(s) in question if they actually sent the link before opening it.
Doing so will provide you with a decent overview of what you can expect Facebook to do (and what they won't do) as far as inquiries about your personal information go. , If you see a link or application posted by a friend with a sensationalist phrase attached (e.g., "you won't believe this works until you try it"), their account may be posting spam because of malware.
Similarly, intensifiers such as "wow" or "OMG" are often used in spam posts due to their eye-catching potential.The context of the language here is important, of course.
If the friend in question commonly posts in this manner, you have far less to suspect than if your friend is usually straightforward or well-spoken on Facebook.
This concept also applies to messaging within Facebook.
If a friend messages you something that seems dissonant with your history or the way they speak, don't open the link.
If you see a friend posting the same link verbatim to several different friends' walls, it's probably spam. , While malware tends to be disguised, using these simple preventative measures will help you avoid it for the most part:
Logging out of Facebook on shared or public computers Changing your password often Accepting friends requests only from people you know Keeping your login information private , As per Facebook's terms of use, Facebook employees will never ask for your payment or account information through an app or a message.
You should only enter these credentials within the fields to which they pertain (e.g., enter your Facebook password in the "Password" field when logging in). , You can typically trust .gov or .org sites, but watch out for links that start with bit.ly.
Malware usually disguises malicious links as shorter-than-usual links. , When you add a new app to your page, you'll probably receive a pop-up window asking you to click Allow in order to provide the app with personal details such as your location, first and last name, and date of birth.
Unless the app in question is a verified one (e.g., Google, Pandora, Instagram), don't click Allow or you put your account at risk for contracting malware.
Sometimes malware will manifest as a notification that, when clicked, prompts you to allow Facebook access to your personal information.
If you click on a notification and are subsequently prompted to click Allow, it's probably malware., There are a few ways you can handle the situation if you find out you've been spammed or are now spamming others:
Remove spam wall posts by either clicking the "X" to the right of the post, or marking it as spam via the same drop-down menu.
Review potential malware apps by clicking Settings from the drop-down menu in the top right corner of your page, then clicking Apps.
You can delete malware apps and games from here.
Change your Facebook password.
Consider enabling secure browsing via Facebook Security settings.
About the Author
David Mitchell
Committed to making creative arts accessible and understandable for everyone.
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