Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently announced plans to launch a “Dislike” button, and some scammers are already trying to capitalize on the idea, says a report from The Washington Times. Facebook fanatics are being warned to steer clear of this scam.
Don’t jump for links promising “Dislike” button
Facebook has not rolled out the “Dislike” feature yet, but since the announcement, the social network has been surrounded with lots of hoopla. As a result, scammers are taking advantage of it by spreading malware by tricking unsuspecting users by sending them links in their news feeds, directing them to a specific site to “get newly introduced Facebook dislike button on your profile [sic].”
Earlier this month, Zuckerberg said developers are “very close” to making a dislike button available to the social network’s one billion users, but since then, no new developments on the supposedly imminent feature have been announced. Facebook users around the world are waiting anxiously for the feature and have been advised not to click on any post offering a false promise of early access to the “invite only” feature, says the report.
Facebook and media will inform users when it comes
Researchers say that all such posts are part of a scam collecting sensitive user information and installing malware. Bogus links are being circulated as part of a phishing campaign that intends to harvest personal information and much more about the users, reported the Hackread website. The site informs readers that whenever a user clicks on any bogus links promising a “Dislike” button, he/she is redirected to a new page requiring them to fill a survey questionnaire aimed at collecting users’ login credentials. This information could later be utilized for sending bogus links to people on the friend list of the affected account.
On Monday, Graham Cluley, a security analyst, cautioned users via a blog post. “Don’t be duped. If you’re a Facebook crack-addict then try to resist the urge of falling for the latest scam, and wait for Facebook to properly roll-out new features as and when they choose.” Cluley added that users need not worry about the “Dislike” button because whenever the firm launches it, there will be a lot of media writing about it.
