Facebook Hoax Spreading Like Wildfire

Unfortunately, some people take advantage of hacking frenzies like the ones we’ve been facing, to create hoax threats and scares because they know that contextual cues will help the hoax be believable.

It doesn’t help that the media preys on fear of its viewers, because fear sells. People innately seek to be fearful of something because it has been beneficial to the survival of our ancestors, and thus, we carry the same trait.

A viral message has been circulating all over Facebook that reads:

NEW VIRUS ON FB using YOUR pictures. It says you’ve been tagged in a picture, wants you to click on a link to see it. Then hacks into YOUR computer & ALL YOUR ACCOUNTS including BANKING & other secure accounts. It DESTROYS YOUR COMPUTER. Once hacked into your comp; it sends e-mails to your friends telling them they have been TAGGED in pics & starts the process again. PLEASE RE-POST

This hoax was likely made by someone who knew it would “sell.” Now, there are legitimate malware such as “likejacking schemes” that show up as videos on your wall of your friends who have supposedly liked them. When the victim then goes to play the video, the script automatically posts on your wall that you liked said video while the victim is redirected to a survey. Your best bet is to download an add-on called “noscript” if you are using Firefox or open the window in Incognito mode on Google Chrome. Or heck, just be more suspicious of what you see on the Internet. Share this article with your friends and let them know the real deal behind this hoax. Hit us up on facebook.com/techmento and let us know if you’ve seen this hoax.