Online criminals are interested in your Facebook account. They may have access to not just your full name, location, and intimate details about your life, but also your Facebook connections. Your account could potentially be exploited to send spam and viruses to other users, putting their security at risk. They may utilize malicious software, rogue programs, and social engineering to get access. Follow these guidelines to keep your account safe.
Information for Login
If someone gets his hands on your login details, he can log into your account at any moment. Choose passwords that are at least eight characters long and contain both letters and digits. It's far too easy to guess single words, especially long ones. Don't use a shared computer or public terminal to access your Facebook account. Your account could be hacked by anyone. Never give out your Facebook password or leave it laying around.
If your Facebook account is hacked, you may lose control of your Facebook account as well. Your email login information is important, and you should safeguard it. Pick a strong password, don't keep your email account signed in where someone else could access it, and don't give away your password, just like you would with your Facebook account.
Malware
A hacker can also employ malware to gain access to your Facebook account. Keyloggers are computer programs that capture everything you type. The person in charge of the keylogger now has access to your login credentials. Other types of spyware can take data from your computer, allowing someone else to access your Facebook account.
Infected Links And Rogue Applications
You can use programs, also known as apps, to add new features to your Facebook profile, play games, and take quizzes. Unfortunately, not every app is what it claims to be. Rogue apps will ask for access to your Facebook account in order to post. They can send messages using Facebook's private message system or instant messenger if you grant them access. Some rogue apps and URLs can even infect your computer with malware; the Koobface worm, for example, installs software on your machine and uses your account to send spam. Use caution when clicking links on Facebook, and don't allow any program too much access.
Engineering Social Behavior
To steal personal data, social engineering uses confidence techniques rather than high-tech attacks. This is usually accomplished through "phishing," in which you receive an email that appears to come from Facebook. This email appears to be genuine, however it was sent by a scammer. It will usually have an urgent tone to it, reminding you that if you don't respond with your password or log in using a link in the email, your account will be shut off. Your login information will be taken if you perform either of these things. Set your spam filter to stop junk mail to avoid phishing emails. Always log onto Facebook through your bookmarks or by typing Facebook.com into your browser to ensure you are on the official Facebook site and not a phishing site.
Comments
Post a Comment