Computer protection experts keep developing more and more advanced security tools which are meant to guard your virtual security. Nevertheless, schemers behind the Facebook has Changed their Privacy Settings Scam have proven that more and more new ways to expose security backdoors are invented. Even though to this date there is no information allowing us to state that this particular trick helps cyber crooks to expose your virtual identity or steal personal data, it is now clear that even such popular, seemingly-secure sources as facebook.com could be utilized to involve you in online scams. So, what is the purpose of the so-called Facebook Privacy Settings Scam? How should you protect your own Facebook Profile against it? What secure measures should be employed?
Even though many Facebook users have been exposed to the WARNING!!! FACEBOOK HAS CHANGED THEIR PRIVACY scam in the recent weeks, some will recognize it as Stay Privately Connected Hoax which was detected back in September of 2012. It is likely that the fictitious message, which is distributed via private Facebook messages, emails and wall posts, has been spread by the same schemers. Of course, it may be unjust to call people who stand behind the “Facebook Has Changed Their Privacy Settings” messages schemers because the scam seems to bring no obvious gain. Regardless, the messages are fictitious and the purposes behind them are extremely suspicious and unclear. Please see a few excerpts:
WARNING!!! FACEBOOK HAS CHANGED THEIR PRIVACY SETTINGS ONCE MORE!!! DUE TO THE NEW “GRAPH APP” ANYONE ON FACEBOOK (INCLUDING OTHER COUNTRIES) CAN SEE YOUR PICTURES, LIKES, AND COMMENTS.
With changes in FB, everyone can now access information from persons who are not in contacts. All that is needed is for this person who is not in your list of friends to comment or click on “like” to access your information. I do not want people that I have not selected as contacts on FB to access my information but I can’t change it myself.
PLEASE place your mouse over my name above (do not click), a window will appear, now move the mouse on “FRIENDS” (also without clicking), then down to “Settings”, click here and a list will appear. REMOVE the CHECK on “COMMENTS & LIKE” by clicking on it. By doing this, my activity amongst my friends and my family will no longer become public.
The messages are completely fictitious and you should not pay attention to them even if they have been forwarded by your own friends or friends-of-friends. Needless to say, if the misleading notification has been forwarded by unfamiliar contracts, you should pay no attention as well. Overall, if the provided instructions were followed you would simply remove the particular contact from your news feed. This is not dangerous; however, may cause some inconvenience. Have you already unsubscribed from the news feed of a friend? There are a few steps that can help change the situation.
How to unhide News Feed?
- Login to a personal Facebook account.
- Move the cursor over the News Feed (menu on the left).
- Click on the Pencil and then Edit Settings to open Edit News Feed Settings.
- Under Hide post from section find the person you want to unhide and click X. Click Save.
Additionally, if you do not want to receive messages from unknown contacts, you should modify some of the Facebook Privacy Settings. All you have to do is click on the Privacy Shortcuts or Privacy Settings icons (top right corner of the page) and reconfigure appropriate settings. This will prevent strangers from spreading Facebook has Changed their Privacy Settings Scam and other fraudulent, misleading information. For the future reference, do not pay attention to messages regarding Facebook privacy and instead refer to authentic, official press releases. This will help you avoid potentially dangerous schemes.
Thank you very clear and glad someone is looking out for us non savvy computer users.