A new scam uses direct messages on Twitter to tease potential victims
with a link to an embarrassing Facebook video. Try to view the clip and
you'll download a virus.
You receive a Twitter direct
message that seems to be alerting you to a video of yourself posted on
Facebook. Senders try to grab your attention by implying that the video
is embarrassing.
The message contains a link that appears to go to a
Facebook.com address. But users who click on it are greeted with what
appears to be a video player and a warning message that "An update to Youtube
player is needed." The message says it will install an update to Flash
Player 10.1 but the file that downloads isn't a new version of Flash.
What to do if you think you've encountered a scammer.
- If another Twitter
user is sending you links to malware or other spam, report them to Twitter.
- If you notice that
your account is being used to send spam messages, your account has likely been
hacked. Follow Twitter's instruction to reset your password and revoke
connections to third-party applications.
- For tips on how you
can avoid phishing scams and prevent your account from being hacked, see
Twitter's "Safe Tweeting" help page.
- Always check the
BBB's scam directory at www.bbb.org.
