Facecrooks (Keep up to date with the latest facebook scams and hoaxes)

MrsJrotax101

MrsJrotax101

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I've found that this group has had some decent information about recent scams and other stupid things being passed around facebook. I'll occasionally post one of their blog posts on here to keep you all up to date. You can also read more here: http://facecrooks.com/
 
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Did you know that you have a Facebook “Permanent Record?"​

howto_annoy_facebook.jpg


Most people might be surprised to find that Facebook keeps a record of just about all of your activity on the site. Actually, in this day and age, where privacy has officially been declared dead, it really isn’t all that surprising at all.
If you live in the European Union, then you have the right to request a copy of every piece of data Facebook has about you on file. Some users have done just that, and the document for one user came in at 880 pages. Now this could have been a long time, very active member of Facebook, but this voluminous amount of data is enough to give just about anyone pause.
Techdirt combed through the archive and found some items of concern. There is a recording of every computer you’ve used to login to Facebook, along with a list of other Facebook users that have logged in from the same machine. The author of the article assumed this is done for security and anti-phishing purposes, but how do we really know? Even more troubling was the fact that deleted messages are still retained by Facebook. Perhaps the “delete” button should be re-named “hide,” because nothing seems to ever really go away.
If you live in the EU, and you are the least bit curious about the data Facebook has retained about you, then you can request a copy by following the directions posted on Reddit yesterday:
The post was entitled "How to Annoy the Employees of Facebook: A Step by Step Tutorial".
1. Open this site: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact.php?show_form=data_requests
2. Enter your personal information
3. Make a reference to the following law: "Section 4 DPA + Art. 12 Directive 95/46/EG"
4. Click on Send
A recently formed privacy group from Austria called, Europe v. Facebook has been instrumental in educating users on Facebook privacy violations, and how they may obtain their data. Click here to see their complete list of Facebook's data pool.

http://facecrooks.com/Safety-Center...now-you-have-a-Facebook-Permanent-Record.html
 
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Google+ vs Facebook Privacy - Infographic​

http://facecrooks.com/Safety-Center...y/Google-vs-Facebook-Privacy-Infographic.html

Facebook has been on the hot seat again lately for violating user privacy. Anytime, new features are implemented, advocates, bloggers and analysts all chime in on how your privacy is affected.

In addition to the normal hoopla surrounding the platform changes at F8, an Australian blogger discovered that Facebook continues tracking users even after they are logged out of Facebook. A lawsuit has been filed in Ireland, and FTC regulators in the U.S. are pushing for a full investigation into the matter.

In light of Facebook's privacy problems, many people are looking to Google+ as a better alternative. But Google's track record regarding user privacy really isn't much better – if at all. So you might be jumping from the frying pan into the oven – so to speak.

The following infographic created by PEER 1 Hosting and shared exclusively with Social Times, compares and contrasts the major privacy settings of both platforms. According to the article, "even if we have our privacy settings in place we may not be as protected as we think we are." We recommend reading the original article for key points and takeaways you can use to better protect yourself on both platforms.

facebook_vs_google_infographic.jpg
 
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[Hoax Alert]New trend at dog parks, nails in pieces of cheese, if you take your dogs to dog parks, please be careful!!​


Just as the "Facebook is going to be Charging" hoax is slowing down, another one pops up to take its place. A message is spreading like wildfire warning dog lovers of a potential threat to their pooch while at a park: The message goes something like this and they are accompanied by the wall photo shown below:

New trend at dog parks, nails in pieces of cheese, if you take your dogs to dog parks, please be careful!!

dogs_nails.jpg

Like many hoaxes on Facebook, this one is based partly in fact. According to Thatsnonsense.com, an event similar to the one described in the warning did occur in Buenos Aires, Argentina in July of this year. Thankfully, this was an isolated incident, and is not a growing trend. Some warnings also mention that people are putting anti-freeze in water bowls. This also appears to be unfounded.

Always take a moment to check the facts before spreading warnings. At the time of this writing, the wall photo with the bogus warning has been shared over 7,000 times and has received over 4,500 comments.

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 community of almost 80,000 fans on Facebook to be kept informed of the latest security issues.

BitDefender Safego is a Facebook application you can install that will scan your News Feed and help keep you safe from scams and malware.

http://facecrooks.com/Safety-Center...your-dogs-to-dog-parks-please-be-careful.html
 
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Get A Free $250 Olive Garden Gift Card!​


Scam Signature Message:
Get A Free $250 Olive Garden Gift Card!
www.EatAFreeMeal.com
Get A Free $250 Olive Garden Gift Card Now!

olive_garden_wall.jpg

Alternate Message:


olive_garden_free_vouchers.jpg



TWO FREE Olive Garden Vouchers
Olive Garden is currently giving away dinners for two for a week!.
**This scam requires you to "share" the scam message on your Facebook Wall, and post a comment about Olive Garden. After posting the comment, you are taken to the page shown below.**

Scam Type: Bogus Offer
Trending: October 2011
Why it's a Scam:
Clicking the wall post link takes you to the following page:

olive_garden_main.jpg

On this site the user is presented with a quick survey. After answering all of the questions, you are informed that you qualify for the promotion, and this is where the fun begins. You are required to give them your email address and other information that compromises your privacy. Listed below is the fine print of the promotion:

"My-Italian-Gourmet.com is an independent rewards program and not associated with any of the above listed merchants or brands. The above listed merchants or brands in no way endorse or sponsor My-Italian-Gourmet.com's offer and are not liable for any alleged or actual claims related to this offer. The above listed trademarks and service marks are the marks of their respective owners. My-Italian-Gourmet.com is solely responsible for all Gift fulfillment. In order to receive your gift you must: (1) Meet the eligibility requirements (2) complete the rewards bonus survey (3) complete a total of 8 Reward Offers as stated in the Terms & Conditions (4) not cancel your participation in more than a total of 2 Reward Offers within 30 days of any Reward Offer Sign-Up Date as outlined in the Terms & Conditions (the Cancellation Limit) and (5) follow the redemption instructions."


Notice that you must complete several "Reward Offers" and the rewards bonus survey. Chances are, after you have completed the offers it isn't going to be worth the Gift Card, assuming that part of the promotion isn't a scam. Also keep in mind the scammers are acquiring a treasure trove of your personal data. You will be required to provide your name, address, phone numbers and date of birth. This will enable the shady marketers to not only spam your Facebook account, but also harass you via snail mail, phone calls and text messages.

How to Deal with the Scam:

If you did make the mistake of sharing the scam link, then you are now spamming your friends with the very same message. Clean-up your newsfeed and profile to remove references to the scam. (click the "x" in the top right hand corner of the post).

Be on the lookout for more marketing offers arriving to your email inbox and physical address if you submitted that information to the scammers. Also be aware and alert for possible identity theft attempts.

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.

http://facecrooks.com/Safety-Center/Scam-Watch/Get-A-Free-$250-Olive-Garden-Gift-Card.html
 
With the title of this thread I had no clue what it was going to be about but I thought it might be about something dealing with Facebook. The title was a little confusing (but I confuse easily lol).

Great thread! I'm barely on FB. It's blocked at work and I get on FB mobile throughout the day to poke people ( :giggle: ) and sometimes when I get home I get on it. It's definitely turning into MySpace and it annoys me.

I'm going to make a Google+ thread now! So we can add our info and join each other. :)
 
Thanks for editing the title. If I was a Mod I would have edited it for you (if Mods can do that :giggle: ) Oh hai :wave:
 
Facebook and Websense Partner up to Combat Malware​

websense_protects_users.jpg


Facebook, the world’s largest social networking site, has enjoyed unparalleled growth in the past few years. The site can boast of a user base consisting of more than 800 million people – an incredibly impressive achievement, all things considered. Unfortunately, as the social networking site’s population grew, so too did the number of opportunist scams. Facebook quickly became filled with malicious links that led people to download malware onto their own computers. The company has been trying to put a stop to these scams, but have so far been unsuccessful. Now, they have enlisted the help of Websense, a company that specializes in web filtering software.

With this new alliance, Facebook will be able to protect its users better from third-party malicious URLs that are so commonly spammed on the social networking site.

The company had actually already made an attempt earlier this year through its partnership with Web of Trust (WOT) but the scammers’ propensity for finding ways around these security measures quickly made this approach insufficient. WOT works on a blacklist basis – a decent enough method, but one that can’t cope with the speed in which these scammers change their URLs.

With Websense, however, the process is made much more comprehensive. First, when a user clicks on a link, the URL is automatically passed onto Websense. Websense will then process it using the Websense ThreatSeeker Cloud, its most advanced platform for identifying online threats in real time. If Websense finds that the link is safe, it automatically allows the user to load the site specified in the URL. However, if Websense classifies the URL as suspicious, a warning will pop up informing users that the link they clicked on may not be safe. Users can either choose to ‘learn more’, ignore the warning completely, or simply return to the previous page.

What’s great about this is that the Websense ThreatSeeker Cloud can actually detect if a website is untrustworthy even if it is completely new. So, even if scammers continue to create new havens for their malicious content, they will be unable to spread it on Facebook as long as Websense recognizes them.

Websense will provide another blanket of security in addition to Facebook’s defenses and WOT. This partnership will have a huge influence in curbing the problem of scams that have now become rather prevalent in the social networking site, thus making the whole Facebook experience much safer for users, even those who aren’t exactly tech savvy.

http://facecrooks.com/Safety-Center...nd-Websense-Partner-up-to-Combat-Malware.html
 
Good grief. The whole world is watching. Google takes note of sites you go to and then puts ads on your computer. Facebook monitors everything you do. OnStar has been tracking data after a subscription is dropped. [Recently, they said that they will stop doing this]. Onboard recorders used by car companies to record data in an accident have been considered for use by insurance companies and the police. BIG BROTHER is watching. Don't get me started on satellite surveilance and Echelon which uses a supercomputer that can monitor the comings and goings of every person on the planet, or all the video cameras in London...
 
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oh gosh all the video cameras in London...didn't see any when I was there :ohnoes:

If it can monitor the coming and goings of every person...why are people still cheating :rotfl: Why do we need the show Cheaters, Maury, Jerry Springer, and Steve Wilkos. We should all know who the father is :rotfl:
 
This isn't by Facecrooks but I feel I should still post it as many people are falling for it horribly today.

Free tickets on Southwest Airlines? It's the latest Facebook scam


Facebook users should beware the latest scam doing the rounds on the social network. A so-called opportunity to win free tickets with Southwest Airlines may look like a dream come true, but in fact is an opportunity for scammers to harvest your information.

Naked Security reader Wayne told us that he'd seen the messages being spread from the Facebook account of his daughter and her work colleagues, and further investigation found others users' accounts being used to spread the scam links.

What's interesting, as our friends at Facecrooks point out, is that the messages are being spread via comments on other users' walls rather than as status updates.
Messages include:

sweet! i just got 2 free flight vouchers from Southwest Air to fly to any destination i can think of lmao! i didnt believe it would work but it was, got it here..[LINK] try for yourself i just figured i would share with everyone
hey, i got my free Southwest airfare from [LINK] u should submit for a your own pair while they are still offering them!
hi, i just got my free Southwest airfare from [LINK] you should claim your own pair while its still available!
Southwest is offering complementary flights..but for a short time only: [LINK]
wassup, i just picked up my free Southwest tickets from [LINK] you should request yours while its available!​
If you do click on the links you're taken to a webpage which looks like the genuine Southwest Airlines website, but instead urges you to connect with it via Facebook.
southwest-airlines-500.jpg

The offer of free tickets may have proven too attractive a lure, of course, and so you might agree to proceed - whereupon you are greeted with the all-too-familiar sight of a Facebook dialog asking for your permission to install a third-party application.
southwest-app.jpg

This rogue application can access your profile, and post messages from your account - allowing the scam to spread widely.
southwest-30-seconds.jpg

You'll then be presented with a series of questions and offers, which scoop up your personal information. Would you be prepared to give this level of information about yourself to a complete stranger in the street? (Well, perhaps you would as the video we made on the roads of Bristol proved..)

But you shouldn't be so keen to share your personally identifiable information, especially when you cannot be sure what is going to be done with it.

Will we see more of these air ticket-related scams in the future on Facebook? I would bet money on it. After all, everyone dreams of the idea of flying off somewhere without having to pay for the privilege. In the past, we've seen Facebook scams regarding free tickets with JetBlue and Delta Air Lines, so it's not really a surprise to see the latest scam use a similar ploy.

If you have been hit by scams like this on Facebook, and are struggling to clean-up your profile, here's a YouTube video I made which describes what steps you need to take:


Article from: http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2011/02/22/free-tickets-on-southwest-airlines-latest-facebook-scam/
 
why in the world wouldn't southwest just have the site removed..? :confused: - dead link = no more scam
 
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