Facebook and Other Social Network Sites Phishing Scam In The Wild!
By getbrowser
@getbrowser (1708)
China
November 9, 2009 3:41am CST
Everyday, when we surf the Internet, we have to face various security related issues, such as Internet viruses, spyware and phishing attacks.
With the popularity of social network websites, more and more choose these sites to keep in touch with their friends, sharing their experiences, uploading their photos of daily life. However, more and more phishing scams regard these sites, such as Facebook, their targets to attack. Therefore, users of these social network sites have to face endless phishing attacks. Now, according to some security reports, phishing attack is currently in the wild.
Yesterday, one of my friends on Facebook suffered this kind of attack and all his photos were lost. In view of these facts, I am timid about uploading my photos any more. Although Facebook and other sites have taken some measures to protect our privacy, I think all users there should be careful.
What's your opinion about this? Have you suffered the harm of phishing scam before? If Facebook won't take more measures to protect our privacy, would you spend time on these sites?
2 people like this
9 responses
@celticeagle (189820)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Nov 09
There are alot of people on Facebook. I know alot of folks that have lots of pictures on there and have for along time with no problems. I would say to go ahead but keep a back up. I have a thumb drive that I keep all my pictures and files on. It is always a good idea to have a back up.
@getbrowser (1708)
• China
9 Nov 09
As Facebook becomes more and more popular all over the world, many people have spent much time on it and have lots of pictures and other information on there. Yes, we do that just because we believe Facebook and their privacy guidelines.
But in order to avoid the lose of our personal information, a backup is really a necessity. Sometimes, we may face a loss if we believe Facebook completely.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189820)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Nov 09
And that is why I say it is always a good idea to have your information backed up.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
9 Nov 09
myLot is about as social as I get!!! I've stayed away from FaceBook, MySpace, etc just for the reasons you've mentioned here. It seems there is ALWAYS some type of scam going on at one of them. I do have a Twitter account, but I seldom visit there as I find it boring!!! 
@getbrowser (1708)
• China
9 Nov 09
It is next to impossible for me to stay away from Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and other social network websites. Of course, I guess most people here can’t continue their daily life without these social network sites. So, it is obvious that we have to face the phishing scams and other viruses.
For the long run, we(Facebook and other sites, users and security softwares) should take some measures to keep our privacy under protection other than keeping away from them.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
9 Nov 09
As it is, I already do not spend any time on those sites. MyLot is the only one I frequent and so far it has been clean as far as I can tell. The other sites are simply not worth the risk. I have uploaded photos to too many sites in the past only to have the site go under and then I have to do it all over again. That is bad enough, but to risk having someone steal my identity? No Way! I am continuously shocked to see how many people widely reveal the true intimate details of their lives and where they live. I am most careful of what is in the background or anywhere else of any photo I upload anywhere online. When a form asks what city do you live in, I always type the city "WhoWantsToKnow" as my answer or if I have to choose from a list I just pick the one that is furthest away. Similarly, my real name, age, birthdate, etc., are none of anybody's business.
@neildc (17238)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
9 Nov 09
I think the best thing to do is to prevent opening or joining thrid party programs and applications. Though Facebook made sure that our privacy remains private, we cannot tell how the third party applications treat our Facebook information.
@getbrowser (1708)
• China
9 Nov 09
Thanks for your sharing practical tips here.
Yes, although Facebook and other social network sites have taken many measures to made sure that our privacy remains private, we should keep cautious in case we are cheated by the scams and traps.
To prevent opening or joining thrid party programs and applications is really necessary for us to help our privacy.
@cbjones (1147)
• United States
9 Nov 09
I haven't fallen for any phishing scams as of late. I did a few years ago, but didn't really lose anything of value. I always seem to get those lame paypal email scams every other day, and that stuff makes me laugh. I imagine scammers would be very successful on Facebook. you have a lot of people who don't know much about online security, and assume anyone who contacts them with an offer is legit.
@getbrowser (1708)
• China
9 Nov 09
Yes, as more and more people use money and share their individual privacy online, it is abvious that Facebook and other popular social network sites on the Internet will
face the phishing attacks and users there will suffer the serious harm from these scams and traps.
These sites will be regularly attacked and at the same time, we should learn to keep our privacy under protection.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
9 Nov 09
I have never joined places like Facebook, for that very reason. They serve as bait for scammers. Just think what those scammers could accomplish if they turned their creativity to honest efforts, they would be billionaires!
@Agoenxz (551)
• Indonesia
9 Nov 09
Well, fortunatelly i haven't experiencing this before... And, i hope not! Well, i suggests we should be more carefull in putings our personal identity, etc... In any sites. Just make sure that the address are correct, and not a phising, fake/imitations sites. And i think beside the owner of these famous websites should increase their security levels, they also have to make mass announcements to their members and publics on how to prevent this kind of phisings, etc... TakeCare!
@sunnycool (12714)
• India
9 Nov 09
these days social networking sites or on a roll cozz this is why they are getting attacks.i think facebook is a big social networking site it cant afford to loose all its members because of these phishing attacks.hence it would take certain measures in order to provide security from those phishing sites.gud day.
