Facebook,
Myspace and
Twitter -- they are just some of the popular social networking sites that have grown immensely.
In fact Facebook estimates users spend more than 2 point 6 billion minutes on the site every day worldwide. And scammers are no exception.
The Better Business Bureau says scammers, hackers and ID thieves have learned how to use the websites in order to circulate viruses or
steal identities.
They tend to pretend to be friends and family but they are not after your friendship.
Some common schemes include the friend in distress scam. You'll get a message in your inbox from a friend saying they're stranded in a foreign country and need money wired to them. What you don't realize is that your friends account has been hacked and the message was sent by a scammer.
A popular phishing scam is called Koobface. You receive a message from who you think is a friend saying "you look awesome in this video" and when you click the link you're actually installing a virus onto your computer.
Finally, the viral wall post; you'll get a post on your Facebook wall from a friend saying something like , ”do you realize your Facebook picture is all over."
Facebook warns that by clicking on the link you are allowing the hacker to gain access to your personal account.
The BBB says you have to be wary of messages from friends or strangers directing you to another website via a hyperlink.
Also don't wire money unless you've personally spoken to a friend, or at least asked them personal questions through your page that only that friend would know the answer to.
A big protector is to make sure you computer's operating system and antivirus and firewall software are up to date.
