How to avoid the social network sting: The top 10 Facebook scams

A security expert released a list of top ten Facebook scams that you should be aware about.

17:48 01 August 2014

Millions of people use Facebook every single day across the world, making the social network an easy target for malware peddlers and scammers looking for a mass audience.

To keep you safe while interacting with your friends and families on Facebook, below are the top 10 Facebook scam compiled by security expert Bitdefender.

Here's the top 10 fake Facebook ads and posts in full, with the main target territories listed:

1.    Total profile views/visitors (Check out now who viewed your profile) – 30.20 per cent (UK/US, Australia)

2.    Change your Facebook Color/Colour – 7.38 per cent (UK/US, Australia)

3.    Rihanna sex tape with her boyfriend – 4.76 per cent (UK/US, Australia)

4.    Check my status update to get free Facebook T-shirt from Facebook – 4.21 per cent (UK/US, Australia)

5.    Say goodbye to Blue Facebook (Dites Aurevoir au Facebok BLEU) – 2.76 per cent (France)

6.    Unsealed. We are giving them away for free – 2.41 per cent (UK/US, Australia)

7.    Check if a friend has deleted you – 2.27 per cent (UK/US, Australia)

8.    See your top 10 profile peekers here! You will be shocked to find out your ex is still creeping on your profile! – 1.74 per cent (UK/US, Australia)

9.    Find out how to see who viewed your profile (Encontré la manera de ver quien ve mí perfil. No sabes las sorpresas!) – 1.55 per cent (Spanish-speaking countries)

10.    Just changed my Facebook theme. It's amazing – 1.50 per cent (UK/US, Australia)

Catalin Cosoi, Chief Security Strategist at Bitdefender, commented: "Why do people still want to see who has been taking a peek at their profile, despite all security warnings? I think they believe these are legitimate apps.

“This is social engineering at its finest – a challenging mental game that pushes the right psychological buttons. The baits have changed over time, with stalkers, peekers, admirers, overly attached girlfriends and exes haunting you, but the reason this scam works is simple: human nature."