Facebook has Spam, too
Facebook users log into the social network over one billion times a day. Hackers and imposters trying to access other users’ accounts make up 600,000 of those log-ins according to The Telegraph. With over 800 million users, it’s not surprising that the website gets so many daily hacking attempts. Hackers try to take over other users’ accounts to post images, send out spam or phishing links, spread malware through Facebook content, and access users’ private information.
Just recently, Facebook suffered from an extensive flood of porn and violent images that appeared across the website. CNN reports that Facebook had a security team work to identify the source of the spam and remove it.
As Facebook becomes increasingly aware of the Internet security issues it faces, the website is taking significant steps to inform users about such threats, as well as add new defense mechanisms to its already sturdy arsenal.
Facebook has issued a detailed infographic full of interesting little facts about the numerous steps involved in protecting users’ security. The first step towards accessing an account is, naturally, logging in. The graphic points out that users can enable an HTTPS connection for all Facebook related activity by adjusting their account settings. In case of a forgotten password, the website asks a user to identify tagged friends, a task which a hacker would not be able to do. Other initial security checkpoints include keeping track of a user’s location and log-in device to detect anomalies or sudden changes.
The social network giant is also introducing some brand new features to strengthen password security and resolve threats that emerge when users are locked out of their accounts. The “Trusted Friends” feature allows you to confirm your identity with the help of trusted friends. If you can’t log in, several pre-selected friends receive a code that they pass on to you. You then use the code to create a new password.
Still, despite the occasional spam that slips through Facebook ’s many security precautions, last week’s being the most graphic example of this, the website claims that less than half a percent of users experience spam, a remarkably low number compared to email spam, for example.
If you’re really interested in the details of Facebook security, check out the infographic. For now, there’s no full-proof method for ensuring Facebook security, unfortunately. Be vigilant in your online interactions, post and respond carefully, be selective in what links you click on, and change all your passwords every few weeks if possible.
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Filed under: facebook, Fraud, Internet, Internet Security, rescuecom, security