2011 Facebook Hoax Messages

The most successful social networking site to date has become a perfect place to easily spread false information and rumors online. From the malicious news of the death of singer Lady Gaga to messages telling users Facebook will start to charge for its services, facebook hoax abound. Some examples of facebook hoax messages can be found below:

ATTENTION FRIENDS! HACKERS ARE DOING DAMAGE AGAIN ON FACEBOOK! PORNOGRAPHIC MOVIES ARE BEING POSTED ON OUR BEHALF ON THE WALLS OF OUR PROFILES! WE DO NOT SEE THEM, BUT OTHER PEOPLE DO, AS IF IT WERE OUR PUBLICATION! SOMETIME EVEN OUR SUPPOSED Comments APPEARS. IF YOU SEE SUCH A THING IN MY HOMEPAGE, ALERT ME AND DO NOT OPEN IT BECAUSE IT IS A VIRUS! …COPY AND RE POST THIS MESSAGE

HACKERS ALERT….. ATTENTION!!!!! IF ANY OF YOU GET A PADLOCK ON TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER OF FACEBOOK HOME PAGE SAYING YOUR SECURITY IS LOW.. IGNORE.. DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.IT IS SO HACKERS CAN ACCESS YOUR ACCOUNT. COPY & PASTE PLEASE

What to do if you have received or read a facebook hoax

1. Verify before reposting. Verify if there is truth to the message or information posted in chain messages. Facebook hoaxes are often spread via chain messages. Many users no longer verify facts before they repost the message so the hoax spread easily.

Hoax messageS often employ tactics to coerce a receiver of the message to repost the message. An example is the Facebook price grid hoax. The message claims that facebook will start to have membership fees but by reposting the chain/hoax message before midnight, a facebook user is promised to have free membership.

2. Delete. Once you have verified that the information is false or misleading, delete the message on your wall. This will prevent others from seeing and likely reposting the message.

3. Inform your friends spreading the message about the fictitious nature of the message and tell them to delete those messages in their wall as well.

4. Make sure to share this post on Facebook and help your friends know more about facebook hoax and chain messages.