• Trend Micro
  • About TrendLabs Security Intelligence Blog
Search:
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Ransomware
    • Vulnerabilities
    • Exploits
    • Targeted Attacks
    • Deep Web
    • Mobile
    • Internet of Things
    • Malware
    • Bad Sites
    • Spam
    • Botnets
    • Social
    • Open source
Home   »   Social   »   Fake Facebook Chat Verification Used for Spam

Fake Facebook Chat Verification Used for Spam

  • Posted on:April 17, 2014 at 11:59 pm
  • Posted in:Social, Spam
  • Author:
    Fjordan Allego (Anti-Spam Research Engineer)
0

Facebook users are once again the target of a malicious scheme—this time in the form of a notification about “Facebook Chat”.

The spammed notification pretends to come from the “official Facebook Chat Team.” A notification shows users of a tagged comment to a Facebook Note containing a fake announcement about a Facebook Chat verification requirement.


Figure 1. Facebook Chat verification notification

The spam tries to sound urgent to convince users to verify their accounts. To do so, they are first asked to to go to a Pastebin URL and are instructed to copy a specific code. The set of instructions differ depending on what browser is being used (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Internet Explorer).

Users are then directed to a shortened link and are asked to press a particular function key (F12 for Google Chrome users, for example).  After clicking on the console tab, users are supposed to paste the provided Javascript code into the address bar, then press Enter. This actually gives bad guys access to the user’s account, giving them the capability to auto-tag anyone in the users’ friends list and start the cycle of victimizing other account users.


Figure 2. Console where the Javascript code is supposed to be entered

From the get-go, users should know that there is no product called “Facebook Chat,” let alone a team that sends out a supposed “advisory” to its users. The social media site’s official instant messaging feature is called Facebook Messenger, which also the name of its stand-alone app. Earlier this month, Facebook announced that Android and iOS users will be required use this stand-alone app by eliminating the chat features of the traditional app versions of the site.

Facebook has taken action against threats like this by releasing an official announcement.  The official Facebook warning notes, “This is a variant on the self-XSS attack. By pasting the code in the browser console, the user gives the code access to their account. The code usually posts the same scam on other people’s walls, and subscribes the user to pages controlled by the attacker – but it could do much worse things.”

In 2013, a mobile phishing page disguised as a legitimate Facebook mobile page has been used to victimize users by stealing their credit card details. In the same year, the Facebook Security Check page has been spoofed by phishers leading to a number of stolen account credentials.

Protecting your online accounts from different threats requires constant vigilance. Always check and verify links that are sent your way, even if they come from a friend or contact. In the same light, sift through the number of contacts you add to your network and only add those you know personally to minimize risks of compromising your accounts and harming your computer.

Since April 2012, Trend Micro has worked hand in hand with Facebook to secure and shield users from attacks such as this. We already block all threats associated with this attack.
Learn how to protect Enterprises, Small Businesses, and Home Users from ransomware:
ENTERPRISE »
SMALL BUSINESS»
HOME»
Tags: FacebookFacebook Chatsocial mediaSpam

Security Predictions for 2020

  • Cybersecurity in 2020 will be viewed through many lenses — from differing attacker motivations and cybercriminal arsenal to technological developments and global threat intelligence — only so defenders can keep up with the broad range of threats.
    Read our security predictions for 2020.

Business Process Compromise

  • Attackers are starting to invest in long-term operations that target specific processes enterprises rely on. They scout for vulnerable practices, susceptible systems and operational loopholes that they can leverage or abuse. To learn more, read our Security 101: Business Process Compromise.

Recent Posts

  • Our New Blog
  • How Unsecure gRPC Implementations Can Compromise APIs, Applications
  • XCSSET Mac Malware: Infects Xcode Projects, Performs UXSS Attack on Safari, Other Browsers, Leverages Zero-day Exploits
  • August Patch Tuesday Fixes Critical IE, Important Windows Vulnerabilities Exploited in the Wild
  • Water Nue Phishing Campaign Targets C-Suite’s Office 365 Accounts

Popular Posts

Sorry. No data so far.

Stay Updated

  • Home and Home Office
  • |
  • For Business
  • |
  • Security Intelligence
  • |
  • About Trend Micro
  • Asia Pacific Region (APAC): Australia / New Zealand, 中国, 日本, 대한민국, 台灣
  • Latin America Region (LAR): Brasil, México
  • North America Region (NABU): United States, Canada
  • Europe, Middle East, & Africa Region (EMEA): France, Deutschland / Österreich / Schweiz, Italia, Россия, España, United Kingdom / Ireland
  • Privacy Statement
  • Legal Policies
  • Copyright © Trend Micro Incorporated. All rights reserved.