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The art of digital deception<\/h2>\n
Hackers are upping their game, using familiar faces and alarming tactics to lure you into their traps. They’re cleverly impersonating the people who run the platform and sending out “copyright violation” alerts that seem pressing.<\/p>\n
If you run a Facebook Business, such alerts can create a moment of panic. And in that split second, you might accidentally click and download a seemingly innocent attachment.<\/p>\n
Attachments with hidden dangers<\/h2>\n
The real danger? That seemingly ‘innocent’ attachment might not be so benign. There’s a chance it could be laced with malware.<\/a> In some cases, this malware can start a domino effect, potentially sourcing further malicious content from places online where crooks store files.<\/p>\n It can get even sneakier. Some of these files might contain code with the capability to try and snatch cookies and login credentials from browsers and potentially sell them on the dark web<\/a>.<\/p>\n The deception doesn’t stop at fake alerts. While the threat of fake profiles has always been there, the real game-changer is the hackers’ skill in taking over genuine accounts. How? It often starts with a well-crafted phishing message<\/a>, possibly disguised as an attachment.<\/p>\n Once an unsuspecting user downloads this, it can trigger a series of events. The malware inside these files can potentially extract cookies and login credentials from browsers,<\/a> giving hackers the keys to the kingdom.<\/p>\n Now, imagine getting a suspicious message not from a stranger but from Jane, your childhood friend, or Bob, the guy you often chat with at the local cafe. Unbeknownst to them, their accounts have been hacked<\/a>, turning them into unwitting accomplices.<\/p>\n MORE: HOW TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST DEBIT CARD HACKERS WHO ARE AFTER YOUR MONEY<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n MORE: HOW TO AVOID BEING A VICTIM OF THIS SNEAKY FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE SCAM<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Simple. It’s the trust factor. \u00a0We’re used to getting emails from strangers, but Messenger is where we talk to our friends. We feel safe and relaxed there.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s exactly what the scammers want. They know it\u2019s easier to trick you when you’re not suspicious, and your guard is down. That\u2019s why Messenger is a perfect place for crooks to spread their scams.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ARE YOU PROTECTED? SEE MY 2023 BEST ANTIVIRUS PROTECTION WINNERS<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Trust, but verify:<\/strong>\u00a0While it’s nice to trust our friends and contacts, always be wary of unexpected or out-of-character messages. If someone you know sends you an unusual attachment or link<\/a> or discusses topics they never have before, be skeptical.<\/p>\n Verify outside of Messenger:<\/strong> Should you receive a suspicious or unexpected copyright violation notice, message from Facebook, or any other alert \u2013 don’t panic. Reach out to the sender outside of Messenger. A quick phone call or text can help clarify whether the message is genuine.<\/p>\n Have strong antivirus protection on all your devices:<\/b> The best way to protect yourself from having your data breached is to have<\/span> antivirus protection <\/span><\/a>installed on all your devices. Strong <\/span>antivirus software<\/span><\/a> actively running on your devices will alert you of any malware in your system, warn you against clicking on any malicious links in phishing emails, and ultimately protect you from being hacked.<\/span><\/p>\nHow hackers compromise friends and contacts<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nWhy Messenger?<\/h2>\n
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Guarding yourself against Messenger phishing<\/h2>\n