Facebook news feeds beset with malware

[DorsetBoy]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11827856

One fifth of Facebook users are exposed to malware contained in their news feeds, claim security researchers.

Security firm BitDefender said it had detected infections contained in the news feeds of around 20% of Facebook users.

By clicking on infected links in a news feed, users risk having viruses installed on their computer.

Facebook said it already had steps in place to identify and remove malware-containing links.

BitDefender arrived at its figures by analysing data from 14,000 Facebook users that had installed a security app, called safego, it makes for the social network site.

In the month since safego launched, it has analysed 17 million Facebook posts, said BitDefender.

The majority of infections were associated with apps written by independent developers, which promised enticements and rewards to trick users into installing the malware, BitDefender said............ ( more)

[Rik]

Facebook, what's that?

[DorsetBoy]

Something you supposedly cannot live without   

[Gary]

I like Facebook I got in contact with people who have moved away and I have lost contact with over the years, its been good, one friend came down from North Yorkshire and its been great to be back in contact again. Its replaced messengers for me, and tbh I don't use any apps have the apps section turned off and my privacy as locked down as much as it can be, you cant even search for me on there. Its been good finding people that drifted away and seeing how we have changed, not always will you stay in contact but for me its helped re-open a very closed social life due to my disability.

Its not for all but its not that bad either.

[Rik]

If people can't search for you, Gary, how do they find you?

[DorsetBoy]

I like Facebook I got in contact with people who have moved away and I have lost contact with over the years, its been good, one friend came down from North Yorkshire and its been great to be back in contact again. Its emplace messengers for me, and tbh I don't use any apps have the apps section turned off and my privacy as locked down as it can be, you cant even search for me on there. Its been good finding people that drifted away and seeing how wee have changed, not always will you stay in contact but for me its helped re-open a very closed social life due to my disability .

Its not for all but its not that bad either.

I could tell you a few truths about Facebook security but cannot in public.

Take a look at their known issues list    fact is security is dire, I had a supposedly search proof page, permissions did not stop folk viewing content and I had messages come in from uninvited, non friend users. Boxes and content come and go due to coding errors and for several days I had someone elses pictures showing on my page.......

[armadillo]

Facebook, what's that?

I think it might be one of those new antisocial netwrecking sites. 

[Gary]

I could tell you a few truths about Facebook security but cannot in public.

Take a look at their known issues list    fact is security is dire, I had a supposedly search proof page, permissions did not stop folk viewing content and I had messages come in from uninvited, non friend users. Boxes and content come and go due to coding errors and for several days I had someone elses pictures showing on my page.......

Never had those issues, use a ad blocker so never see those, I am not publicly searchable and also as a just in case use the Bit defender app which checks for nasties. Social networks help some, others loath them, for me it gives me a chance to speak to my friends all over the world in real time and that's fun and stops me feeling so alone in the day, I don't play those stupid games they are all blocked, no one can just add me etc. tbh its just like a forum in many respects.

[pctech]

I got fed up of being bombarded with silly questionnaires but can see the benefit in situations such as yours Gary.

Most people I'd really like to hear from again are real technophobes so alas I've given up hope of getting in touch with them again.

[Rik]

I think it might be one of those new antisocial netwrecking sites. 

Perfectly put.

[armadillo]