Hackers fooling Facebook users with fake Google+ invite
By Joe Elvin
18/07/2011
A rogue application on Facebook posing as an invite to Google+ is being used to steal users personal data.
Many users are spotting
links on their news feed which encourages them to get an invite to the new social network but have to agree to submit their details to a third
party before they receive anything.
According to gmanews.tv, those who do so are then encouraged to "Like" the invite page and
send invitations for their online friends to join as well.
Users who receive these invites from someone they trust are
arguably more likely to believe that the rogue application is safe to access.
Those who give away details such as their date of birth,
email address or location to cyber-criminals are more likely to be the victims of identity fraud.
Many Internet users invest in automated IT management software to protect themselves from hackers collecting personal
data.
In a blog for sophos.com, IT security expert Graham Cluley explained what other damage that cyber-criminals with access
to a stranger's Facebook page could achieve.
He said: "What we end up with is many thousands of people who given a third party
application, written by persons unknown, complete access to their Facebook page.
"That means they can later use your Facebook account to
post spam messages, distribute other money-making scams, steal your personal information, and post in your name."
