Facebook users are being subjected to another scam that claims it will help them remove the Facebook timeline. The scam seems to be circulating via various rogue Facebook applications and rogue browser extensions that state they can remove the Facebook timeline. However these applications merely send application requests to all of your friends and prompt you to either install unverified and potentially dangerous browser extensions or complete surveys.
The lure of removing the Facebook timeline is incredibly popular since the new addition to the Facebook design was hardly well received by many Facebook users. Scammers have capitalised on this and many rogue applications and malware have masqueraded as fixes that can “revert” back to the older profile layout.
The actual scams seem to vary but most appear to be initiated via rogue Facebook applications that claim to remove the Facebook timeline and these are being sent via application requests which are managing to appear in the main notifications bar of Facebook users (see the image below) as well as the application request section to the right of the newsfeed.
These rogue applications are appearing in the notifications bar, which is unusual. It also appears in the request section
Whilst there are legitimate browser extensions Facebook users can utilise to alter the way their Internet browser views a Facebook page (such as FBPurity and TimelineRemover.com – go directly to their websites to install) these scams appear nothing more than an attempt to either trick users into installing potentially dangerous browser extensions or to fool Facebook users into completing surveys and in neither case will this result in a Facebook user being able to remove the Facebook timeline.
Clicking the application notification will send users to the below page and upon clicking the Remove Timeline button users are then send to the application permissions page and asked to install the application.
In this case we were taken to this screen after clicking the application request
When the application is installed it will then ask you to send out invites (see image below). This means you will be spamming all of your friends with the same notification that you received which helps the scam spread throughout Facebook so quickly.
The application wants you to send invites
From there is seems these scams are either forcing users to install potentially dangerous browser extensions which can cause havoc with a computer or they are trying to force users into completing survey scams (see image below).
A typical pop-up for a survey scam that tricks users into parting with their personal information
If you receive a request to remove the Facebook timeline from a friend it is important that you not respond to it. These are rogue applications that lead to dodgy and potentially dangerous browser extensions that will just spam your friends with the same requests and could infect your computer with malware. Also notify your Facebook friend that sent the request to uninstall the application from their account and by removing any posts the application may have made from the account. If you installed a browser extension you will also need to uninstall it (see here.)
Startled and inaccurate warnings are already circulating regarding these rogue Facebook applications – including –
However the assertion that this scam leads to a malware infection that “wipes” your computer is unverifed and probably inaccurate.
This story is still being investigated so this article is likely to be updated.
Note this scam is happening simultaneously with another that claims it can show your recent profile views.
Hat tip to Shevaun and The Black Knight for assistance with this article and it’s updates.
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If the Facebook timeline is getting you confused or if you want to take full advantage of it, Facebook for Dummies has been updated to keep on top of all the latest Facebook changes and how to make them work for you. Once you learn all the Timeline “ins and outs” you’ll realise it’s not all that bad, we promise! Click here for details. |
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