nternet users today face varied types of risks while online. They may encounter cyber attacks such those brought by viruses or malwares as well as those perpetuated by humans such as identity theft and phishing. All of these can be done via email and the widely used social media sites.
One of the most annoying that a person can receive these days is spam messages. These are unwanted emails or messages that may or may not contain links. They can be proposals offering certain products or services and they can also be in the form of ads including the pop-up types on your favorite social networking sites. Whatever the reason behind it, a spam message is normally sent by bulk to many people. And this can be sent repeatedly several times. But while people may be able to filter this type of malicious communication in their emails, social network users can be made to believe that spam messages were sent by their real friends.
On Facebook, there are various ways that a user can receive spam. One of the most common is the so-called wall attack. This can trick users to install an app that will require them to authorize the application to post on their wall and even the pages of their friends.
Another way is the posting of unpleasant and even pornographic posts particularly when a person’s Facebook account is hacked. This can also lead to the hacker sending private messages containing videos and short links. These posts and messages can have comments that encourage users to watch the video, click the link or open the attachment.
It is, therefore, very important for people to be very cautious these days. Inviting phrases in status updates and private messages are signs of something fishy. One should be suspicious if a friend who is not fond of posting unpleasant or vulgar words or phrases creates a not-so-ordinary status update or sends you a message with a video or link. Take note as well that sometimes, the scams replicate apps and promotions that actually exist.
To avoid being victimized by these malicious messages and apps, find time to research about the app before you install it and do not be tempted to click on a link or play a video that was sent to you.
In the event you become a victim of spam, you can still take steps on Facebook. Simply go to your privacy settings and choose the Apps and Websites option. You will then be presented with a list of your most recently accessed apps. Select those that you find suspicious or offending and remove them from your account.
Another step you can take is to report the post, message or comment as spam. Inform your friends as well in case your account gets hacked and that they may have been spammed.
It’s true that Facebook makes many people happy by the way it allows them do things they love such as interacting with family, close friends and colleagues, showing people their latest looks and even the good food they eat. But as Tai Lopez puts it “everybody wants the good life, but not everybody gets the good life” which only means that it’s normal for people to face challenges wherever they are even when browsing the internet.
Instagram is another platform where people can get spammed as well. Spam on this popular photo-sharing site can be in the form of junk comments and fake accounts.
Spammers on Instagram are categorized into the passive, aggressive and logrolling. The passive ones are those that have only one photo in their account and their bio often features a link that says “click this link and get more followers.” The aggressive types, on the other hand, normally comments on a user’s photos with an invitation to “check out this link.” Unlike the first two, the last type known as the logrolling spammers are actually real people but they offer a trade which is to like your photo with you liking their photo back.
To remove these spam messages and comments, a user can do several things. One is to set your profile in private to allow you to screen the people who wants to follow your account. Another way is to hide comments that you find unpleasant or inappropriate. Also, do not reply to direct messages or comments that include a link and do find time to check the profile of the person before following back.
Do protect your social media accounts from these spammers by taking those steps provided. Always stay on top of everything as people with dark motives are just lurking around online.
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