What's been happening?
Phishing attackers send a message to a victim's Facebook 'inbox', as well as an email notification with the subject 'Hello' or 'Hi'. The email appears to have come from the victim's friend and includes text asking the user to visit a malicious and fake Facebook login page, where the attacker will then steal the user's login credentials to launch future attacks.
If consumers want to avoid inadvertently sending malicious messages to their trusted circle of Facebook friends, Symantec advises the following:
Always maintain a level of caution around any messages from within a website or that appear to be sent by a website. If a user clicks on a link, double-check the actual domain that is shown at the top of the page. It's best practice to type the direct Web address directly into your address bar rather than rely upon links from a message.
1. Use complex passwords and unique ones for each site. A few suggestions:
Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers
Make sure your passwords are at least eight characters long. The more characters your passwords contain, the more difficult they are to guess
Try to make your passwords as meaningless and random as possible
Use different passwords for each account
Change your passwords regularly. Set up a routine, changing your passwords the first of each month or every other payday
Never write your passwords down, and never give them out-to anyone.
Don't use names or numbers associated with you, such as a birth date or nickname.
Don't use your user name or login name in any form
Don't use a derivative of your name, the name of a family member, or the name of a pet
Avoid using a solitary word in any language
Don't use the word password
Avoid using easily-obtained personal information. This includes license plate numbers, telephone numbers, social security numbers, your automobile's make or model, your street address, etc.
Don't answer yes when prompted to save your password to a particular computer. Instead, rely on a strong password committed to memory or stored in a dependable password management program
2. Maintain an up-to-date browser and operating system. Use security software.
3. Double check you've arrived at your destination. When clicking over to Facebook (or any site) make a habit of looking at what appears in the address line. You might not always be able to spot a fake site but in the case of this particular scam, it's obviously not www.facebook.com.
4. Be suspicious of requests to enter your account name and password.
Use the above guide for other trusted sites that you use as well. Share the information with your friends.
Courtesy of Elite Web - 11/06/2009
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