Spam Message:
[VIDEO] Giant Snake EATS MAN WHOLE!
Watch as this zookeeper gets swallowed WHOLE by a giant anaconda. You will never believe this video!
Scam Type: Rogue Browser Extension
Trending: August 2012
Why it’s a Scam:
Clicking the wall post link takes you to the following page:
If you ‘Click Here to Activate Plugin’ you will be prompted to install a browser extension. We decided to stop here, and we recommend that you do the same. As with third party Facebook applications, you should be careful about the browser extensions that you install. If you are lucky, then you might get a bunch of adware installed to your browser. Rogue browser extensions are known to be malware delivery agents. You are totally at the mercy of the add-on developer! Only install add-ons from trusted, well-known sources!
How to Deal with the Scam:
If you did make the mistake of installing the browser extension, then see the following guide to learn how to remove it from your system:
How to protect your Facebook account from Rogue Browser Extensions
The Facebook message is spreading by code inside the browser extension, so you need to remove the status update from your profile and notify your friends about the spam. You should also run a full system scan with a competent anti-virus program.
If you or your Facebook friends are falling for tricks like this, it’s time to get yourself informed of the latest threats. Be sure to join the Facecrooks page on Facebook to be kept informed of the latest security issues. Also check out:
Your Ultimate Guide to Facebook Scams and How to Deal with Them
How to spot a Facebook Survey Scam
Recommended Resources
BitDefender Safego is a Facebook application you can install that will scan your News Feed and help keep you safe from scams like this.
PRIVATE WiFi® is a Personal VPN that encrypts everything you send and receive. Don’t access Facebook from a public WiFi hotspot without it.
Do Not Track + is a FREE browser plugin created by Abine. This easy to install plugin keeps websites from tracking you. If you value your online privacy, then you should definitely take advantage of this free product.
Action Alert | Free Parental Control offers a 100% free Internet safety solution designed for parents. There is also a Maximum Protection option for parents that need a more advanced set of tools.