SMS (smishing)<\/a>, and phone calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWith the growing popularity of social media, phishing also found its place on platforms such as Facebook, TikTot, Twitter, and Instagram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But how does it work?<\/strong> The attacker usually sends a malicious link to the unsuspecting victim<\/strong>, typically impersonating someone they know. If the victim opens the message and clicks on the link, they are usually prompted to log in with their email or password.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe web page is fake, but it\u2019s created as a convincing replica<\/strong>. Since the message is designed to evoke a sense of urgency, the victims are often in a hurry to check what\u2019s on the link without giving it proper scrutiny. Once they\u2019ve logged in, the attacker will obtain their username and password.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s important to know that many of the latest Facebook scams<\/strong>, such as \u201cIs this you on the video?\u201d or \u201cDid you make this video?\u201d often have the same pattern<\/strong>. They are designed to trick you into handing out your login information and infecting your device to spread the malware even more. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIn many cases, apart from recovering your account, you\u2019ll also have to scan your device for malware with a good antivirus solution to remove the threat entirely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Things to Do if You Fell Prey to This Scam<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
So, you got a message from your friend suggesting that someone you may know has died. You instantly want to know who that person is, hoping the bad news isn\u2019t true. The page asks you to log in to your Facebook, which is what you do because at this moment you\u2019re not thinking that this might be a scam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you get to that page, there\u2019s no word about anyone you know being dead. Instead, you\u2019ve just become a phishing victim. By this time, your login information is known to the attacker. Your computer is likely infected with malware and might be sending out the same message to the rest of your friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, what should you do if you fell for the \u201cLook who died\u201d Facebook message? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Firstly, make sure you\u2019re not locked out of your account<\/strong>. If your password hasn\u2019t been changed, there are things you can do to mitigate the damage. To start, immediately change the password yourself, so the hacker can no longer log into your account. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After you\u2019ve changed your password, report this problem to Facebook<\/strong>. This is important because the company is constantly tracking activities like this, and reports can help Facebook eliminate it and stop it from happening to someone else. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Head to security settings and log out of any locations or devices you don\u2019t recognize<\/strong>. You can do that by clicking on the menu and choosing \u201cnot you?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Do the same with apps<\/strong>. Any websites or apps that have permission to access your Facebook account should be reviewed. If there are any that you don\u2019t recognize, remove them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- When you go to general settings, make sure to check the email addresses linked to your account<\/strong>. If there are any unknown ones, remove them as well<\/strong>. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If you don\u2019t have two-factor authentication, turn it on<\/strong>. This is an essential security measure for any online account you have these days, not just the one on Facebook. With two-factor authentication, you will be notified of each login attempt and only be able to log in with the information that you\u2019ve received through SMS or an email.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Lastly, just in case, change your email password<\/strong>. Your email is the most important pillar in terms of your personal cybersecurity. Having multiple accounts compromised is far more likely if you lose access to your primary email address.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Scan your device using anti-malware software<\/strong>. Even if you think your messenger isn\u2019t hacked, signs like your friends telling you they received strange links from you shouldn\u2019t be ignored. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
In case this happens to you, you\u2019ll need to act fast and try to secure your account as soon as possible. However, if your account hasn\u2019t been hacked before, let\u2019s see how we can keep it that way while on Facebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Working On Prevention: Staying Safe On Facebook <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve recently become a victim of the \u201cLook who died\u201d messenger scam, or you just want to know how you can remain safe on Facebook, read on for tips on preventing hackers from compromising your Facebook account. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Set a strong password. <\/strong>Your password should never include your birthday, address, name, or phone number. Attackers can easily crack it if they know some basic information about you. Make sure that it is at least six characters long, and use punctuation marks, symbols, lowercase and uppercase letters, and numbers. Don\u2019t use common words, and change your password every once in a while. Remember, never use one password for multiple accounts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Make sure you\u2019re using the correct URL.<\/strong> If you want to log in from a browser, the Facebook URL needs to be https:\/\/www.facebook.com. If the shown address has double \u201cf\u201d or any other variation, it\u2019s probably fake. Instead of following the link, just type in the legitimate Facebook URL yourself. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Don\u2019t fall for fake login prompts.<\/strong> If you\u2019re already using a Facebook app and you\u2019re prompted to log in, don\u2019t fall for it. You\u2019re already logged in, and you\u2019re using the app; Facebook wouldn\u2019t ask you to log in again. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Never click on suspicious links.<\/strong> Facebook scams start with messages in most cases. If your Facebook friend sends you a link that seems unusual, instead of clicking on it, contact them outside of Facebook and ask about it. This way, you\u2019ll know if they really wanted to share something or if they became a victim of cybercrime. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
These tips are useful for general internet use, not only for Facebook. Always use a strong password, check every suspicious URL you run into, and never click on shady links. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bottom Line <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over two billion users. That\u2019s why it became a target for scammers and hackers<\/strong>, and the \u201cLook who died\u201d scam is surely not the only one to watch out for. If you want to ensure you and your data are safe<\/strong>, be extra careful about the links you click on and always use a strong password. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you think your account might have been hacked, follow the steps we shared with you in this article<\/strong>. Remember, before clicking on something on Facebook, make sure to check if it\u2019s a legitimate link or not. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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