Dec

Why are people falling victim to Facebook scams?

The beauty of essentially quitting social networking, as I have, is that I don’t have to worry about all of the associated nonsense. “Facebook’s new privacy settings cause uproar.” Really? Not if you quit the site it doesn’t. “Malicious programs causing social network malaise.” Again, not an issue if you’re not all-consumed with tweeting every 10 seconds about what you’re eating for breakfast.

To roll back the cynicism a tiny bit, there are a few ways to keep yourself safe on Facebook and Twitter and whatnot.

• Please don’t make your password “abc123.” You do know that a “bad guy” can run your account through a wordlist and have access lickety split, right?

• Don’t click on random links even if they’re from your friends. “Twenty percent off scented candles! I have to click on that link!” Just assume everything and everyone is out to get you.

I think that’s it, actually. Come up with a proper password and don’t go around clicking random nonsense.

And here’s a personal tip: if any of my friends see a message from me on Facebook and Twitter, assume it’s fake. I logged into Facebook for the first time in a long time on Tuesday, and found a message from someone from September. Oops!

Now watch as my accounts get hacked. Whatever.