"Dislike" Button Scam Hits Facebook Users 179
An anonymous reader writes "A message saying 'I just got the Dislike button, so now I can dislike all of your dumb posts lol!!'
is spreading rapidly on Facebook, tempting unsuspecting users into believing that they will be able to "dislike" posts as well as "like" them.
However, security researchers say that it is just the latest 'survey scam', tricking Facebook users into into giving a rogue Facebook application permission to access their profile, and posting spam messages from their account.
The rogue application requires victims to complete an online survey (which makes money for the scammers) before ultimately redirecting to a Firefox browser add-on for a Facebook dislike button developed by FaceMod.
"As far as we can tell, FaceMod aren't connected with the scam — their browser add-on is simply being used as bait," says Sophos security blogger Graham Cluley."
Facebook is a Ponzi scheme (Score:1, Interesting)
1. Set up really popular new big thing!
2. Have 500 million morons congregate.
3. They do ??? which is important because ???
4. Sell ads for products they probably don't purchase because they're just goofing off on the internet because they're too broke to go do something fun instead.
5. ???
6. Profit!
Re:Facebook is a Ponzi scheme (Score:1, Interesting)
While your little list doesn't really make any sense, I do agree that Facebook doesn't currently have a sustainable business model. However, how does any of that equate to a Ponzi Scheme? Or do you have absolutely no idea what that means, and just thought it sounded good?
Re:And? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:And? (Score:4, Interesting)
This one gets bonus points for spreading by appealing to the dark side of human nature with their offer of a new and exciting way to threadcrap. As if random popup ads don't snare enough people, now they are out there with an appealing product (at face value anyway) that users have to actively resist. Just when the idea of Facebook itself as a scam was gaining traction, now we have this shit-sandwich-deep-fried-in-vomit craze sweeping the 'tubes. The internet is doomed!
Facebook (Score:4, Interesting)
Facebook is one of the most useful applications ever on the Internet. Love it or hate it, it connects people and their media. It's social networking on a grand scale.
With that said, to use one of the greatest applications ever, you must compromise your privacy and security. That's how good Facebook is, no matter how bad the bad is, people keep using it.
I've thought of emptying my profile several times, and just providing a link to a personal web site. I don't want to delete my account totally, there are still people that I want to keep in contact with that aren't really computer savvy, but know how to use Facebook. I also have a MyBand page for, well, my band. Very useful for letting people know when our shows will be, as well as a great way to connect to our fans.
I have enough experience with computers (30+ years) to know the scams when I see them. I have never gotten malware/spyware from an online social site. The one thing I do give up is a bit of my privacy. Not that I'm too worried about all the boogie men out there (although I will be more fearful when my kids are old enough to be on it). I do however sometimes feel like George Costanza on Seinfeld where his worlds were colliding. I don't always want to mix personal and business lives, but it seems to happen on Facebook.
I guess for now, I take the bad with the good and vice versa. I'm too lazy to change the world myself, so I'll leave it to the next visionaries to build a better Facebook and one that is just as popular.
Re:Easiest way to black facebook (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:The blame here is Facebook's. (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:And? (Score:4, Interesting)
I think that's harsh to most users.
In this day and age we expect to be able to do most things without understanding the fundamentals that they are built on.
How many people who use a bank/have a mortgage have a degree in economics and accounting?
How many people who drive a car can strip the engine down to component parts and successfully rebuild it.
How many software engineers can architect a modern CPU right down to the logic synthesis and asic layout complete with timing closure and dealing with sub micron silicon effects such as crosstalk and antenna diodes.
You shouldn't need to have the underlying structural knowledge of everything in order to accomplish common everyday tasks. Tools for staying in touch with friends are tools to help a common everyday task.
As long as facebook aims itself at novices to the web then it should be usable by newbies. Being a clueless novice is not a crime, we've all been there. Facebook is sold to many as one of the reasons to start going on the web, but yet is one of the most dangerous places for new people to play about with,
I blame those who run facebook not the users.
So yes I am on facebook because it is a great place to tag photos of people and because almost all my friends are on it so it's a good way keep up with people who you don't see as often as you'd like. I don't think that means that I am about to buy a pet rock because I am on facebook to be tagged in photos, get invited to parties, be reminded of birthdays, and be informed that my old friend from Uni has just had a baby.
Re:And? (Score:1, Interesting)
"people who click Yes to every pop-up without understanding what they've just done"
People don't click Yes to every pop-up without reading. They click the left button to every pop-up without reading.