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Facebook hacked, users flooded with porn, violent images

Last updated on: November 16, 2011 15:15 IST
Twitter search results with readers' timelines saying Facebook accounts hacked

It appears that Facebook has been hacked by an unknown group and the hackers added an enormous number of powerful images which reflect acts of violence, self-mutilation and pornography on thousands of Facebook users' Timeline.

At the moment no one has claimed responsibility for this attack but it seems that the attack is organised by a group called Anonymous. Thousands of profiles have already been attacked and the number is dramatically increasing.

According to ZDNet, the NSFW problem started 48 hours ago and it was spreading slowly only to a limited number of profiles for the first two days. But last night hundreds of users have begun to complain about these pictures, especially through Twitter.

Some people explained that their timeline is flooded with all kinds of brutality images (violent and pornographic pictures) without their consent while others said there were 'likes' added to these pictures from their accounts. It also seems that some people are getting requests from their friends for clicking fake video links, along with bogus chat messages and fake photo name tags.

All this spam is already going around Facebook and we have seen them from time to time, but this new set of events points to a type of spam that has been expanded on a large scale and that certainly seems pre-planned. Even though we have got a huge number of claims and complaints from Facebook users, we are still not sure whether the spam is generated mainly by clicking on the links or it is real hacking attack from some group using some kind of vulnerability in the service code.

At this time no one knows who is behind these attacks but on many occasions people point this attack to Anonymous (who previously denied any attack on Facebook) and to the 4Chan hackers. Till now Facebook hasn't said anything about this NSFW problem, but it is certain that they will release some kind of statement in the coming hours.

Click on NEXT for 5 tips to secure your Facebook account.

Want to share your tips on how to keep Facebook accounts secure? Post your suggestions on the message board below.

Courtesy: Tech2Date.com

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Facebook hacked, users flooded with porn, violent images

Last updated on: November 16, 2011 15:15 IST

Facebook is one of the top accessed website in the world and most popular social networking website. I'm sure many of you who are reading this, must be spending hours of time everyday on Facebook.

Nothing could be worse than losing your own Facebook account or some one getting access to your Facebook account and misusing it.

But now that there are reports of Facebook accounts being hacked I'm sharing five tips which will help you to keep your Facebook login safe and secure.

1. Enable HTTPS login

Recently Facebook brought HTTPS enabled login and this is first step to your Facebook account security. To enable this feature, go to edit account settings and under account security enable secure browsing.

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Facebook hacked, users flooded with porn, violent images

Last updated on: November 16, 2011 15:15 IST

2. Facebook device login

This is one of the best feature which will make sure that you will get notified whenever your account is compromised. Whenever your account will be logged in from a new device, you will be receiving an email for the same. To enable this feature, go to account settings > Account security and enable features which says 'When a new computer or mobile device logs into this account'.

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Facebook hacked, users flooded with porn, violent images

Last updated on: November 16, 2011 15:15 IST

3. Strong and complex password

One simple way to get into someone's account is by using hit and trial method for password. Brute force are usually useless these days because of complex security measures taken by Facebook. But if I know you as an individual, I may try to try couple of passwords like your girlfriend's name, your birth date and so on. Most of the time this works.

If you wish to be secure your Facebook and other account, you should try using a complex password. More over by changing your password every month and using different password for different account will surely help.

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Facebook hacked, users flooded with porn, violent images

Last updated on: November 16, 2011 15:15 IST

4. Keeping your computer secure

The first place which hackers will target will always be your computer. We have already shared how to keep yourself safe and secure while surfing internet. But let me repeat myself once again, you should be keeping your OS up to date along with Antivirus. If you are tech savvy, I would recommend using any firewall (Comodo is one which I use and recommend) and a Trojan remover.

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Facebook hacked, users flooded with porn, violent images

Last updated on: November 16, 2011 15:15 IST

5. Avoid Facebook spam applications

If you are active user on Facebook, you must have seen spam in the form of Facebook applications like Mark Zuckerberg official announcement and so on. Try not to use any Facebook application if you have not read its review. These days most of such spam applications will spam your friend wall, will ask you to fill a survey or else they will add random people into your account. You can go to application setting page and see which all applications have access to your Facebook account. Disable those which you are not using.

Obviously  there are more tips which will help you to keep yourself safe and secure but following above five you will lower down the possibilities of losing your Facebook account to hackers.

Also Read: Get Ahead Gadgets and Gaming

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