Facebook is a wonderful tool, but unfortunately there are people out there who are abusing it–and you can create SPAM and spread viruses if you are not aware of some of the issues that are going on. Wording on these posts varies…but when in doubt, don’t click it!

Recent developments to be aware of:

Private photos

There is a post that is circulating that claims your private photos are actually owned by Facebook and are being used in advertisements without your permission. Generally the post gives instructions on how to change your settings to prevent this.

First Facebook does not claim to own your photos and Facebook is not putting your private photos on ads without your permission.  It is possible that other people who are “friends” may be using your photos. Sure, you can make your photos “private” but the truth is, if a photo is in cyber-space (www. or mobile) it is never truly private.

BTW, this is an old post that has been circulating since 2009!

Bottom line: don’t put photos up on the internet that you wouldn’t want your mother/grandmother/daughter/boyfriend/husband/minister/boss/etc to see.

I Have Hacked–Check it Out

Don’t click the link and don’t approve the application and do not reply to the message. Instead let the person know they have an infected account by posting a (brand new) message on their wall. Let them know they are infected and they should remove the app and change their password.

Stik.com and BranchOut

These are SPAM application that look real, but that you should consider infections. The message will ask you to help them spread their profile or reputation or something similar.

If you get messages like these, do not click the Recommend button, do not visit your friend’s profile through that message.

Again, let your friend know by posting a NEW message on their wall that they have been infected, they should remove the app and change their password.

See What You Look Like When You’re Old

Some of us are old enough that there is no appeal to this sort of scam 😉 but this is an infection app. Do not click the link, don’t approve the application.

Once again, let your friend know by posting a NEW message on their wall that they have been infected, they should remove the app and change their password.

The best Facebook policy is to be safe rather than sorry. If you receive something that seems out of character from someone, go directly to their profile page (not through a link) and ask them if they actually sent a message out. If they have not, they will thank you for alerting them that they have been hacked.

If you find that you have been hacked, remove any applications that you recently allowed, change your password, and let your friends know to NOT click on the links that might have gone out.

Don’t let this keep you from enjoying Facebook for personal or business reasons! You just have to be smart about how you use it.

And it is better to wait before clicking unless it is an application that you are 100% confident in.