If you by any chance receive a mysterious link from a close friend via Facebook messenger, it is advisable not to click it.
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This Facebook messenger scam could damage your phone or laptop
A new Facebook scam is using your friends to trick you into clicking on malicious links.
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A new scam is targeting users via their closest friends by sending out a message that includes the recipient's name, the word 'video' and a shocked emoji, followed by a malicious link.
It also includes a realistic picture from the victim's Facebook but in reality, clicking on the link can lead to a virus that ruins your computer or phone.
Google Chrome users are taken to a fake YouTube channel that is ridden with adware, while Firefox users on Windows and Mac are redirected to a fakeFlash Playerinstaller that will damage their PC.
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If downloaded, the malicious software will cause you to send a hoax message and link to your Facebook Messenger contacts.Along with filling up your phone and computer with spam advertisements and potentially being able to steal your banking details, the infecting software can also trigger your phone to pass the hoax message and link to your Facebook Messenger contacts without your permission.
Facebook recommends not engaging with the following people/messages as they can pose serious risks:
Facebook Messenger users that are sent the spam message are encouraged to avoid clicking the malicious links.
They should instead reach out to the person who sent the message and advise them to switch their account account credentials.
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Reporting the spam messages to Facebook is also recommended.
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