WARNING: Sexiest Facebook Video Ever!

newsguy -1 Tallied Votes 790 Views Share

If you see a message on Facebook, apparently coming from one of your friends, and promising a link to the 'sexiest video ever' then whatever you do, don't click on it. The video link messages promise a 'candid camera prank' seemingly involving a woman in a short skirt riding an exercise bicycle, but actually delivers a malicious payload via a rogue Facebook application instead.

Like so many scams of the type, this one will inform any Facebook who does click on the link that they need to install specific video player software to view the video. The payload being a double whammy of adware and the posting to all Facebook friends of copies of the same message that made the victim click the link in the first place.

"You may want to watch a sexy video, but you're more likely to end up being plagued by pop-up advertising" warned Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos who adds "it's no surprise that your friends might click to watch the movie when it looks to all intents and purposes that you are the person who has sent it to them."

Sophos advises Facebook users who are worried they may have already clicked on this video link, and it appears victims could number in the thousands, to change passwords remove whatever Facebook application was installed as a result of the scam. Oh, and to scan their computers with up to date anti-virus software to be on the safe side.

Dani AI

Generated

As correctly flagged, this thread describes a classic social-engineering + rogue-app pattern that keeps resurfacing on social networks. 's point about aggressive viral/monitoring tactics is relevant: the same mechanics that marketers use for reach can be abused to request permissions, propagate links, and install unwanted software.

How it typically works: a link or app prompt convinces a user to grant permissions (often via the platform's app authorization flow) or to install a bogus “video player.” Once permission is granted the app can post identical messages to the poster's friends, and installed software can drop adware or browser toolbars. Identical posts across many friends, requests to install codecs, and unexpected permission prompts are reliable red flags.

Recommended immediate actions:

  • Inspect the account for posts, messages, or friend requests that were not created intentionally and remove any obvious spam.
  • Revoke access for unknown apps in account settings (look for the Apps / Apps & Websites area) and remove any app that appears suspicious.
  • Review active login sessions and terminate unfamiliar ones; rotate the account password to a unique, strong value and enable two-factor authentication.
  • Check the system for newly installed programs and browser extensions; uninstall unknown items and reset browser settings if toolbars or redirects are present.
  • Run an up-to-date anti-malware scan (use a reputable scanner and, if needed, an on-demand tool in safe mode).
  • Report the malicious post/app to the platform and notify contacts that may have received the same link.

Prevention notes: treat any prompt asking to install a player or plugin as suspect, watch for identical copy-paste messages from multiple friends, keep OS and browser updates current, and limit app permissions to only those explicitly needed. This keeps the viral convenience of social sharing from becoming a vector for unwanted software and spam.

InsightsDigital 57 Posting Virtuoso

Thanks for sharing such information. I do know that other social monitoring sites practice similar tactics and though these sites/programs have increased their reach - they are alienating others in the process.

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