Since, 2006, nearly 3,200 cases of hijacked social networking accounts have been reported to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at
www.ic3.gov.
One of the more popular scams, according to the Better Business Bureau, involves online criminals planting malicious software and code onto victims’ computers. It starts by someone opening a spam e-mail, sometimes from another hijacked friend’s account.
When opened, the spam allows the cyber intruders to steal passwords for any account on the computer, including social networking sites. The thieves then change the user’s passwords and eventually send out distress messages claiming they are in some sort of legal or medical peril and requesting money from their social networking contacts.
Other spam entices users to download an application or view a video. Some messages appear to be sent from friends, giving the perception of legitimacy. Once the user responds to a phishing site, downloads an application, or clicks on a video link, the electronic device they’re using becomes infected.
Some applications advertised on social networking sites appear legitimate but install malicious code or rogue anti-virus software. These empty applications can give cyber criminals access to your profile and personal information and will automatically send messages to your contacts, instructing them to download the new application, too.
Infected users unknowingly spread malware by having links to infected Web sites posted on their Web pages without the user’s knowledge. Since the e-mail or video link appear to be endorsed by a friend, social networking contacts are more likely to click on these links.
To protect yourself while navigating the Internet, your BBB advises:
▪ Adjust Web site privacy settings.
▪ Be selective when adding friends.
▪ Limit access to your profile to only those contacts you trust with your personal information.
▪ Disable options, such as photo sharing, that you might not regularly use.
▪ Be careful what you click on. Just because someone posts a link or video to their wall doesn’t mean it’s safe.
▪ Familiarize yourself with the security and privacy settings and learn how to report a compromised account.
If your account has been hijacked or infected, report it to by visiting
www.ic3.gov or
www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com.
Start With Trust. For more tips on avoiding scams, go to
wynco.bbb.org or call 970-484-1348.
About the BBB
The Better Business Bureau, founded in 1912, is a champion for ethics and trust in the marketplace. Only businesses that meet the high BBB standards are invited to become BBB Accredited Businesses. Today, 128 BBBs across the United States and Canada rate more than 3 million local and national businesses and charities with scores ranging from A to F. Only a BBB Accredited Business may elect to participate in BBBOnLine, one of the most trusted and recognized Internet seal programs in the world.
The BBB serving northern Colorado and Wyoming is trending toward 1 million instances of service to consumers and businesses in 2009. These services include reliability reports on local companies and charities, access to companies that can be trusted by industry, help with dispute resolution, and trustworthy information on consumer and business topics.
Barbara Read, VP Communications Director, 970-488-2035, bread@wynco.bbb.org