Facebook 'is this you' phishing scam could have infected 500,000

A simple question from a trusted friend in your messages could trick you into giving up important information.

Security researchers have uncovered a large-scale Facebook messaging scam they think has targeted around 500,000 people.

The large-scale phishing campaign is a variation of a classic “Is that you?” trick.

It involves a victim receiving a message from who they think is a friend and the supposed friend sending them a video or image and asking if they’re in it.

The reality is that a hacker is posing as a friend and has sent you a malicious file.

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As many as 500,000 of Facebook’s 3 billion users could have been affected. Picture: Denis Charlet/AFP

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If you were to click the video link you’ll be taken through a chain of websites that could infect your computer with malicious software.

Researchers at CyberNews have been investigating the scam.

They think a hacker could use it to determine a person’s location, the device they’re using and even the operating system on the device.

This could lead to more targeted attacks.

The malicious links first sent in the message also take victims to a Facebook phishing page were they’ll be asked for personal data.

Their device may even be infected with adware or malware.

The scam is thought to have started around a year ago. Picture: Olivier Douliery/AFP

CyberNews thinks the scam it spotted started in January 2020 and has mainly targeted people in Germany.

It’s thought 480,000 users have fallen victim to the phishing campaign.

CyberNews has published a full report on the scam.

It highlights why you should never open links in a suspicious message or give away private details to unofficial sources.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Facebook 'is this you' phishing scam could have infected 500,000