The Latest in IT Security

Free iPad Mini scam spreads via Facebook rogue application

31
Oct
2012

SophosFacebook and iPad Mini scamFacebook users are being targeted in a scam that offers them the opportunity to get their hands on a free iPad Mini.

The brand new iPad Mini will start arriving on lucky Apple fans’ doorsteps on Friday. But if you haven’t already ordered yours, you are too late.

Apple sold out of the regular iPad’s little brother quickly, and even if you order now chances are that you will have to wait a couple of weeks for delivery of the hotly-anticipated gadget, or queue up in a real-life Apple store.

What you certainly shouldn’t do is trust messages from your Facebook friends about how you can receive an iPad Mini for free.

The following message is spreading on Facebook right now, posing as a notice about how Apple developers can receive a free iPad Mini.

Free iPad Mini Facebook scam

Are you a Apple fan ?
The Free iPad mini offer is on.
Go here – [LINK] to get Free iPad mini.

If you can’t control your desire for an iPad Mini then you might be tempted to click on the link, which takes you to a rogue Facebook application.

Free iPad Mini Facebook scam

Despite the use of Apple’s world famous logo, the messages have nothing to do with the Cupertino-based firm.

If you’re being level-headed you might think twice about handing over control of what gets posted to your Facebook account (and details of your personal information, as well as your friends’ names) to a complete stranger in exchange for the chance to win an iPad Mini.

But it seems some people can’t resist.

The result is all too predictable – the rogue app instantly posts a message to your Facebook wall, in your name, encouraging your friends to also click for a chance to win an iPad Mini.

Free iPad Mini Facebook scam

And, of course, your friends are more likely to click if they believe that it was really you who posted the message.

I’m not much of a betting man, but my guess is that you’re not likely to receive a free iPad Mini by clicking on links like this.

Rogue applications like the one shown above can be used to scoop up your personal information, or spread spam and scams rapidly across the social network.

If you mistakenly installed a rogue app, remove the messages from your timeline, revoke the app’s publishing rights and report it as spam to Facebook, and ensure that you have revoked its access to your account.

We have seen similar scams spreading on Facebook in the past, posing as offers for free iPhones.

Make sure that you keep informed about the latest scams spreading fast across Facebook and other internet attacks. Join the Naked Security page on Facebook, where over 190,000 people regularly share information on threats and discuss the latest security news.

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