Information Systems Security: Like Farming And Clickbait

Abstract

In today’s ever emerging digital web-based social networking world one must have a good know-how about how to be conscious and aware of Like Farming and Clickbait scams that are taking place in huge numbers without the knowledge of the users. In reality, we are helpless with respect to the web-based social networking and many people are significantly enthralled, captivated and get lured into it which makes the major victims to clickbait. You might have already come across pictures on Facebook that ask us to write down a specified number so as to show the actual picture by removing the enchantment. Such enhancements of the social networking propagates the user’s Preferences and content the user shares. Here, we discuss about what to do so as to stay away from such activity.

What is like Farming?

The term like farming is defined as a method or technique on Facebook that the tricksters or scammers use to create creative or attractive posts in order to gain likes, shares and comments. Such posts often portray delicate reasons like sick children, polite messages and certain posts indicate that Facebook will donate certain amount for every like, share and comment on the post. This process will give the scammers a wide range of connectivity since the post keeps spreading for every activity by a user.

Simply liking a Facebook post will have it shown on our friend or colleague’s news feed page and when they like the post, it gets shared and appears on their News feed also. These scammers are silently making the user to do all the activity while they fill all your data. Selling Facebook pages is totally against the policy of Facebook. But, in the underground market, established Facebook pages are sold for huge prices. There are certain websites that pay a certain price to the con artists and also make good amount of money from scams such as like and offer pages. While web-based social networking can offer many advantages to your organization or association, It is a basic instruction that your representatives know about the issues it might post. A social media governance kit is necessary since it has formats and directions for creating strategy, overseeing related dangers and checking results etc.

The most important thing done while using social media is having latest antivirus installed such as McAfee Antivirus Complete and make sure to be careful about the things you like on Facebook in the form of posts, pages and links etc.

In case of any doubt about being a victim or prey to Like-Farming Scams. For example, In case you have given your personal and financial information such as CVV, Bank passwords, Government Identification numbers such as Social Security Numbers. We need to go to the Federal Trade Commission website and get some knowledge regarding theft of Identity and how to proceed legally about it. Firstly, we need to report to the bank agency about the issue and request for a change in credentials and then scan our system for any virus infections and immediately change all the personal information such as passwords. Then get your credit cards and debit cards blocked in case you have used them for any purchases which might have been used in a scam post such as “Spin the Wheel to get a free I-Phone” or any such type. Surf through your browsing history and unlike any suspicious posts which you feel are not legitimate as this will prevent any further posts of such type from appearing on the news feed. Then finally report the issues to the Facebook.

How to Prevent the Clickbait Scam?

The clickbait scammers usually use social media like Facebook as a platform to trick and draw in the victims. They do this by placing a post on Facebook which on clicking leads to a specific website with certain links and put up few awe-inspiring deals which would set up the user to fall a victim for the wholesale fraud. To prevent from falling for such traps, one should always remember not to click on links or go through posts or videos which you get through emails or any other social media source. In such instances, move the mouse over the connection and check out what address it will lead to once you click it. These type of trick addresses usually have a lump of irregular digits and alphabets whereas the genuine links and addresses will look more normal. For instance, www. fifa. com is a genuine website since it is a football world cup association’s web address. A person with sound technical knowledge might also fall a victim to such things and might not have found about such tricks. Like Farming or Click Bait Example: Share this news link with 10 members within the next 10 minutes of your click or you might face tough times for the year. Or can you name a word which does not contain the letter E in the name? This is harder than one can imagine. Post the answer in the comments and share it with others.

Some basic tips to avoid Click Bait Scams:

1. Do not click on anonymous links.
2. Beware of Hackers.
3. Be careful while giving permissions to Apps.
4. Review the things that you like.

Ways to avoid scams on social media:

1. Abstain from over sharing of content.
2. Keep your we-based social networking accounts secured.
3. Be aware of posts from Fake Facebook profiles.
4. Watch out for trick reviews and challenges etc.