Security experts report about increased activity of Facebook virus
The Facebook virus is a wide term used for describe numerous suspicious, malicious or spammy activities on the world’s most popular social network. Once in a while, a new wave of suspicious activities show up and cause chaos.
We have already talked about the recent Jayden K. Smith scam which has caused lots of discussions in media outlets and funny reaction on other social networks. However, it’s just one example of a Facebook scam.
Security researchers have just noticed an increased activity of Facebook video virus that sends fake video links via Facebook Messenger. This summer you can also expect to see lots of posts in your News Feed promoting cheap Ray-Ban sunglasses. Therefore, you should be aware of these two the most popular versions of Facebook virus 2017.
Social engineering helps to spread Facebook video virus
On July researchers reported about increased activity of Facebook video virus. A new wave of malware already reached numerous users in North Wales. However, clever social engineering techniques and broad lists of Facebook friends all over the world allows spreading the virus further.
The virus spreads like a chine reaction. Once it compromises victim’s account, it sends a malicious link to each of his or her contacts. People receive a message from the friend with a video link. In order to make users curious and encourage them to click on it, the virus crafts a fake link that includes a picture of a person.
Therefore, the scam is designed to look like a friend found a video of a victim and shares it. Of course, seeing your picture makes the majority of users curious. However, once they click on it, they are redirected to a fake YouTube website. Here they are asked to download a particular file to view the video.
However, installing suspicious file on the system won’t help here. There’s no video out there. Thus, users just download a strange file that might cause some issues. Currently, it’s unknown what malware can do. It is suspected of being capable of stealing login details and working as spyware.
However, it’s certain that once you download the file, you might continue spreading the virus on Facebook Messenger further. Thus, when you click a suspicious link, you might not only risk to compromise your account but put your friends’ privacy and security at risk as well.
Facebook Ray Ban scam is one of the most popular variants of Facebook virus 2017
The Ray-Ban virus has been first spotted in 2016. However, summer usually brings back seasonal cyber infections to the surface. The scam offers to purchase a fashionable sunglasses for a ridiculously small price. Nevertheless, we all love great discounts; you should not be tricked that a famous brand gives 90% discount for their products.
This variant of Facebook virus mostly spread among English-speaking users. However, some modified variants are attacking The UK, France, Spain, the Check Republic, the Slovak Republic, China, and Chile.
The spam is easy to notice in Facebook’s News Feed. The virus tags people to the fake shopping offer and in this way continues spreading via the social network. Users whose accounts were compromised might not even notice it until their friends inform them about these posts.
The purpose of Facebook Ray-Ban virus is not to swindle 15-20 dollars but get credit card information. Crooks use e-shops and websites that do not have SSL certificate, so they are insecure. That means that sensitive information is not encrypted between you and server. Therefore, your sensitive information can be reached by any evil-minded person.
Keep in mind that “too good to be true” shopping offers usually hide something shady. Thus, you should never rush to buy what you are offered to or click on received video links. You should always do your research first and make sure that you won’t be scammed.
Jake Doe is the news editor at UGetFix. Since he met Ugnius Kiguolis in 2003, they both launched several projects that spread awareness about cybercrimes, malware, and other computer-related problems.
