Scam Signature Messages:
This video made me laugh so much haha!
wtf!! [name] is this you in this video?
OMG name why are you in this vid?
I feel sorry for this guy!
hey name why are you tagged in this vid?
Wow!! do you remember this photo?
do you remember this photo
Trending: September 2011
Scam Type: Rogue Javascript, Phishing, Rogue Browser Plugin
Why it’s a Scam:
A version of this scam is almost always on Facebook at any given time. The curiosity aroused by the message is very tempting for users; therefore, this is a very effective method of attack for spammers, scammers and the like.
We have seen this scam used in the following attacks: rogue javascript scams, phishing schemes and rogue plugins. Typically, the user will receive a link accompanied by one of the messages shown above. Depending on the nature of the scam, users will be directed to an external website made to looked like Facebook an prompted for their user name and password. Otherwise, the goal is the installation of a rogue plugin. These plugins often contain malware and should be avoided.
Listed below is an example of one such scam active in September of 2011.
This should be a huge red flag to you! A common ploy of scammers and malware distributors is to trick users into installing a bogus video players or flash upgrades. We clicked continue just to show you the next step of this scam, and this is what we found:
This is red flag number 2. Instead of a malicious download, the scammer wants you to copy and paste code directly into your browser. Never, ever do this! You bypass basic security protocols located within the web browser itself. Your system can be compromised and exploited in many different ways.
How to Deal with the Scam:
If you follow the scam through to its completion, then you are likely spreading the very same scam message to your friends. They will need to remove the bogus YouTube video by clicking the small “X” located in the top right hand corner of the post on their wall. You also need to run a complete system scan on your machine to make sure the code didn’t infect your system.
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
BitDefender Safego is a Facebook application you can install that will scan your News Feed and help keep you safe from scams like this.