Facebook Color Changer Scam Infects Thousands Of Users
A new Facebook color changer scam is infecting thousands of users. One click of the “Facebook color changer” app could be infecting your computer and smart devices with viruses and other malicious software according to Cheetah Mobile.
Mashable is reporting that the new Facebook color changer scam has already affected more than 10,000 people around the world. The scam reportedly tricks users into downloading malware via a site that says users can change the colors of their Facebook profile.
Through user feedback, Cheetah Mobile researchers say that the Facebook color changer app leads users to a phishing website. CNN claims that the app leads users to a malicious website that asks users to watch a tutorial video that will show them how to change the colors of their Facebook profile:
“By agreeing to watch the video, the users give hackers access to their profiles, letting the app spam their friends.”
CNN continued on to say that if users decline to watch the tutorial video, then PC users will be lead to download a pornography video player and smartphone users will be prompted to download an antivirus app, both of which are reportedly infected with malware.
Facebook color changer scams are nothing new in the age of the internet and social media, and many are easily spotted. So why do these scams keep resurfacing? The problem, according to Cheetah Mobile, stems from “a vulnerability that lives in Facebook’s app page itself, allowing hackers to implant viruses and malicious code into Facebook-based applications that directs users to phishing sites.”
Internet scams, such as the Facebook color changing scam, can become serious problems if they aren’t taken care of in a timely manner. While many of these scams can be difficult to remove, CNN claims that this new Facebook scam is “pretty easy” to get rid of:
“Just remove the color changer app from the Facebook app settings page. Cheetah Mobile Security also advises affected users to change their passwords.”
Internet and social media scams are a dime a dozen, and users should take extra caution around applications and sites that they don’t recognize. One wrong click could mean big trouble. Some ways to avoid scams include not clicking on unknown links, even those shared by people you trust, and to frequently change passwords for all sites on a regular bases.
Facebook scams can be easily avoided but using special caution. Stay with The Inquisitr as more information becomes available on the new Facebook color changer scam.
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