Facebook Viruses

Dealing with Facebook Viruses

If you have any questions about how to any of this, please contact us at 847 348 3900 or sales@pcsintl.com and we will be glad to help!

A Facebook Virus is a computer virus you get from working in Facebook. Other than where you get it from, it's really no different than any other virus. A Virus is a destructive program designed to propagate and cause some kind of mischief.

Most likely, you clicked on a link which was not legit. Maybe in a message sent to you or perhaps a status update of one of your friends. Or...
You granted an application access to your account, but that application was not legit. This is not common, Facebook polices this and shuts these down pretty quickly. Or...
You granted a legit application access to your account, but that application was hacked. The hackers used that to get to your account. Facebook polices this and shuts these down pretty quickly. Or...
You have a regular computer virus which figured out your Facebook password and accessed it from your computer. This means your computer is infected, not your Facebook account. Or...
Someone hacked your Facebook account, usually because you had a simple password (or they are someone you know who knows your password).

Have a good Facebook password. And no, the name of your dog or the code to your luggage does not qualify as a good password! A combination of letters and numbers is best (i.e. P@ssW0rd2009)
Don't click on links that you are not CERTAIN are legit. If you are not expecting a friend to send you a video, or you think it odd that they might, send them a message FIRST asking if they sent it, before you click.
Don't access every game and silly application that exists on Facebook. Sometimes these applications are completely legit but they get hacked and the hackers then use the application to access your account. Remember that warning when you went into the application granting permission to access all your Facebook data? Well, that's an open door.

Make sure your antivirus program is up to date and scan your computer. Consider a second scan with a free tool like the one at http://www.malwarebytes.com/
Change your Facebook password (see above for ideas on GOOD passwords)

in Facebook go to SETTINGS - Application Settings
Under Show - click Authorized
Click X next to everything you don't actively use or REALLY want - remember you can always add it back
Under Show - Click Allowed to Post
Click Edit Settings and modify as desired

If it posted a message on your status, you can click REMOVE for that and it will ask if you want to block that app in the future.
If it sent a Facebook message to everyone, make sure and reply to it and warn everyone NOT to click it because it was a virus!

If you have any questions about how to do any of this, please contact us at 847 348 3900 or sales@pcsintl.com and we will be glad to help!