Facebook Dislike Button is a Scam, Sophos Announces
There is a scam that is virally spreading on Facebook announced Sophos, company that specializes in providing antivirus, anti-spam, spyware removal software, network and internet security, data protection, and computer security solutions. This scam lures users to get a supposed Dislike button, which claims to be the exact opposite of the Like button which is available on the popular social networking site.
According to Sophos, users unwillingly update their Facebook status with one of two messages:
I just got the Dislike button, so now I can dislike all of your dumb posts lol!! LINK
Get the official DISLIKE button NOW! - LINK
This scam takes advantage of the fact that numerous Facebook users have been asking for a Dislike button. No matter how much you want such a button, do not click the link included in the aforementioned messages. If you click the link you will be tricked into giving a rogue Facebook app permission to access your profile – the app will then silently post the messages presented above. Furthermore the app will ask you to complete an online survey, which is a source of profit for the scammers.
Senior Technology Consultant with Sophos, Graham Cluley, comments on the Dislike button scam: “This bogus feature differs from recent scams as those behind it aren't preying on users' curiosity about shocking videos or celebrity scandals. This scam is actually posing as something that many Facebook users want. Facebook users should think carefully before they click on an unknown link in a friend's status update as these scams are becoming increasingly common. Giving away personal information in a survey and allowing an application access to your profile is extremely risky and Facebook users need to wise up to this rather than just clicking on links that they see, just because they appear to be from a trusted source.”
If you fell victim to the dislike button scam, Sophos advises you to delete all references of the Dislike button from your wall and remove the application from Account/Application Settings.
Graham Cluley has additional details about this scam here.
According to Sophos, users unwillingly update their Facebook status with one of two messages:
I just got the Dislike button, so now I can dislike all of your dumb posts lol!! LINK
Get the official DISLIKE button NOW! - LINK
This scam takes advantage of the fact that numerous Facebook users have been asking for a Dislike button. No matter how much you want such a button, do not click the link included in the aforementioned messages. If you click the link you will be tricked into giving a rogue Facebook app permission to access your profile – the app will then silently post the messages presented above. Furthermore the app will ask you to complete an online survey, which is a source of profit for the scammers.
Senior Technology Consultant with Sophos, Graham Cluley, comments on the Dislike button scam: “This bogus feature differs from recent scams as those behind it aren't preying on users' curiosity about shocking videos or celebrity scandals. This scam is actually posing as something that many Facebook users want. Facebook users should think carefully before they click on an unknown link in a friend's status update as these scams are becoming increasingly common. Giving away personal information in a survey and allowing an application access to your profile is extremely risky and Facebook users need to wise up to this rather than just clicking on links that they see, just because they appear to be from a trusted source.”
If you fell victim to the dislike button scam, Sophos advises you to delete all references of the Dislike button from your wall and remove the application from Account/Application Settings.
Graham Cluley has additional details about this scam here.
