How to Avoid Facebook Malware

Through the convenience of social networking websites like Facebook, spammers can easily gain access to your personal information through seemingly harmless (and typically deceptive) wall posts, videos, and links. Fortunately, there are some simple precautionary measures you can take to avoid unknowingly becoming the spammer yourself. This article offers steps on how to avoid Facebook malware.

1. Know what to look for. Facebook spammers get more and more creative with how they can make you fall for something harmful and more elusive in terms of spotting them. If you notice any one of the following traits on a Wall post, group, page, etc., it's recommended that you don't click it:
• You get a wall post from a friend you never interact with; almost always consisting of a noticeably automated greeting with an unfamiliar link at the end. Examples include "hey Sarah, you'll never believe this but this diet really works! [website link]" or "John! you'll never believe this but i just got a free iPad delivered to my door! click here - [website link]"
• You get a wall post from a friend, prompting you to watch a YouTube video that you're supposedly tagged in. This may be preceded by an automated greeting such as "OMG Dave, what are you doing in this video? LOL!"
• You get invited to a group or event having to do with free electronics or clothing giveaways, often to the first 50,000 people who join or supposedly after you complete a lengthy survey.
• You want to start playing a Facebook game or use an app, and before you can begin, you're asked to authorize the program to post on your Wall, post on your friends' Walls, access all personal information, etc.
2. Don't be fooled by shortened links. Facebook spammers almost always disguise links to computer-harmful websites by using a URL shortening service, which may mislead you to think you're just clicking over to a legitimate article or blog. In reality, these links lead to sites that can install malware, spyware, and other viruses on your computer.
3. Avoid giving untrustworthy games and apps authorization. If you get prompted to permit a Facebook program to post on your own and your friends' walls, to access your private information and networks, to access your data at any time, etc., close the game or app. Think about it - would you give a real-life stranger access to all of that information?
4. Look for telltale signs of spam. If you see a friend posting multiple links or videos to multiple friends' walls, it's most likely the work of a spammer. If you see a wall post from a friend who says Facebook is finally offering a way to see who views your profile, for example, don't believe it and don't click the spam "Activate Profile Viewer Notifications" link. Additionally, pages that warn they are not authorized by Facebook could (although not always) be harmful to your computer.
5. Take action as soon as possible if you do fall for a spam link or page. There are a few ways you can handle the situation if you find out you've been spammed or are now spamming others:
   • Remove spam wall posts by either clicking the "X" to the right of the post, or marking it as spam via the same dropdown menu.
   • Get rid of games that may be spam by going into "Account Settings", and then "Manage Apps". You will be able to edit and remove permissions here.
   • Change your Facebook password.
   • Consider enabling secure browsing via Facebook Security settings.
   • Download a free, trusted antivirus scanner program (or purchase a more advanced software version) to perform a security check on your computer. The earlier done, the better.