Facebook safe?

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Facebook-McAfee Deal: A Great Start - PC World
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McAfee and Facebook have joined forces to keep 350 million Facebook users safe from malware. But if you think this is a silver bullet to keep you safe on Facebook, think again.

There is no doubt Facebook is taking an innovative and positive step toward protecting users from malware. But I consider it only one of many steps Facebook users will need to take to protect themselves from the myriad of tricks and traps that inhabit Facebook including 419 ploys, phishing scams, and ID crooks.

First, let's go over the Facebook/McAfee deal.

How to Get Protected

The deal between Facebook and McAfee introduces two significant security steps. The first step is McAfee is offering all Facebook users a free six-month subscription to its Internet Security Suite (along with a discounted price once the six months are up). Not a bad marketing deal for McAfee.

The second part of Facebook's deal with McAfee is more interesting and innovative. Back in July Facebook created custom service that detects if your account has been compromised by a malicious third-party via a phishing attack. Now if that security trigger is set off McAfee jumps into action and will prompt you to use a free McAfee Scan and Repair program (see image below) the next time you log into your Facebook account. The assumption is, if your Facebook account has been compromised your PC may also be infected with malware.

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The McAfee Scan and Repair will attempt to identify and remove malicious code from your computer before you access your Facebook account.

In order to get your free six months' subscription, simply log into your Facebook account, go to the McAfee Facebook page, and click "Become a Fan." Once you are a fan, you'll be able to download the free software by going to the "Protect Your PC" tab--you will be asked to provide a credit card. Facebook says your card will not be charged until the six months is up (and you can cancel before that).

Before Handing Over Your Credit Card Number to McAfee

Both of these security steps will effectively protect you from many malware attacks, though they are not necessary if you already have an effective antivirus program (check out PC World's chart of free antivirus software) that protects against malware. Still it's great to see that McAfee is making its antivirus software available to Facebook users.

Other Facebook Tricks and Traps

While the McAfee-Facebook deal will curb malware on member PCs, it does not mean the end of Facebook dangers--not by a long shot. There are, unfortunately, many scams and schemes on Facebook (and other social networking sites) that can cost users a lot more than a virus and a few annoyed friends:

* 419 Scams (and similar scams): Social-networking sites, such as Facebook, are places where people are more inclined to reveal their real names and personal information about themselves. Scammers then try to weasel their way into your virtual circle of friends and harvest sensitive personal information to later use in scams to try to trick you (or your friends) out of money. For that reason don't just be weary of someone from Nigeria asking for money. Falling for a Facebook scam is how Beny Rubinstein got scammed out of $1100.
* Phishing Scams: While McAfee's software will protect against malware, it will not protect users from phishing scams. Phishing scams trick users into giving away their passwords by posing as legitimate websites. The passwords are then used to hack/hijack the user's accounts - be it a Facebook, credit card, or bank account.
* Stranger Danger: The biggest danger on social-networking sites isn't malware, it's other people. Many people use their Facebook accounts to share various facets of their personal lives (including photos, phone numbers, addresses, and place of work), without considering the possible consequences. Depending on who can access this information (and many users forget to set adequate privacy settings), this can be very dangerous.

(see related: Protect Your Privacy With the New Facebook Settings)

So, while the McAfee-Facebook deal is a good step toward protecting users from malware, it's still important for users to use common sense and protect themselves. Take steps that go beyond malware protection to ensure your Facebook profile is secure: set proper privacy restrictions, don't share phone numbers and addresses at all, and don't click on links that look sketchy.

What do you think?
 
Yeah! That what my husband post a link of Facebook in couple days ago before you post it here. He said, " Since everyone's worry about safety and facebook is a big topic. Here is McAfee on Security through software. Do the rest of the internet a favor and don't play without protection."
 
I never bother to scan anything before I access to facebook as long I keep it on private then I should be fine ;)
 
PowerOn, Me too. I'm on macbook and not worrying about it. The link is for PC and laptop without Mac brand.
 
How do I know that's real McAfee with THAT link that has NO solid proof of its geniune link?

Best, just go direct to McAfee.com rather than clink on that ambigious link name. It's easy to create a malware with a facebook link.

Never EVER.. and I emphasize ever hand out credit cards if you got the request from ambigious links. If I pay with CC, I always go to the website MANUALLY.
 
PowerOn, Me too. I'm on macbook and not worrying about it. The link is for PC and laptop without Mac brand.

Windows run on MacBook still get viruses or security threats.
 
I don't think I would be brave enough to trust the McAfee link that is provided via facebook. It can easily be bypassed for whatsoever reason it is set for.

All you can do is, be cautious, use your own anti-virus (whatever anti-virus system you have on your pc), and be smart not to fall for any links that seems too good to be true.
 
i have facebook so i have no problem with it and i alway ignore or deleted someone who i really dont know. otherwise good friends are fine.
 
Not worry?

More Mac Viruses, Similar Sources: Time to Worry?

Good luck, everything is in binary means zeros and ones, it is all it needs to get it working. Only two digits? Best bet is to worry about it.

So, I would treat whenever one is worryless as dangerous.

Back to my point, nothing is 100% immune to malware, virus, and other shyts. That is the truth.



I'm on Mac, I don't need to worry about it.

If anyone afraid of being screw up... use Facebook Lite?A Faster, Simpler Facebook - less effect to your PC computer.
 
I don't trust McAfee. I use mac and also I do use ClamXav for anti-virus scanning on mac.
 
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