Most of us use our Facebook accounts to log into many of the third-party websites and services we use online. This Single Sign On system is incredibly useful and convenient but it also comes loaded with a very obvious security concern regarding our Facebook login details, they are more available than ever to scammers and hackers. Unfortunately, however, that is exactly what has happened here as Meta has put out warnings that over 1 million Facebook usernames and passwords have been compromised through the use of fake apps. Here is what you need to know.
Cybersecurity researchers at Meta have identified over 400 malicious apps that have been targeting users on Android and iOS to try and steal their Facebook login information. The apps have reached over 1 million Facebook users, which means their login details have been compromised.
According to the Meta report, the tech giant has passed on the findings to Apple and Google, which means the apps should be getting pulled from the App Store and Google Play Store as we write this article. Meta is also reaching out to the users who have been affected by this breach, which means if you haven’t been contacted by Meta your account is likely safe. It is worth thinking here though as to whether your Facebook login details are attached to your primary email address and not an old email address that you no longer use.
Most of the malicious apps were Photo editing apps, but there were also business apps, phone utility apps, games, VPNs, and lifestyle apps among the types of malicious apps that have been targeting Facebook users.
To help keep you safe in the future, Meta has outlined a series of steps you can take and considerations to keep in mind to avoid falling for these types of scams:
- Requiring social media credentials to use the app: Is the app unusable if you don’t provide your Facebook information? For example, be suspicious of a photo-editing app that needs your Facebook login and password before allowing you to use it.
- The app’s reputation: Is the app reputable? Look at its download count, ratings and reviews, including negative ones.
- Promised features: Does the app provide the functionality it says it will, either before or after logging in?
In other recent Facebook news, it should now be easier than ever to switch between multiple accounts across both Facebook and Instagram.
