Facebook warns 1 million users about account-stealing app

On October 7 (local time), Meta warned more than 1 million Facebook users about seemingly innocuous applications that can steal users’ passwords to access social networks.

Speaking at a recent press conference, Meta’s Director of Threat Prevention – David Agranovich, said that since the beginning of the year, Meta has detected more than 400 malicious applications present on the App Store. and Google Play.

Since the beginning of the year, Meta has detected more than 400 malicious applications present on the App Store and Google Play (Image: AdobeStock)

These applications disguise themselves as photo editing applications, games, virtual private networks (VPNs), online sales and other utilities to trick users into downloading. Once the download is complete, the apps will ask the user to log in with their Facebook account, thereby stealing username and password information.

“Cybercrimins understand that these types of applications are very popular, so they use them to deceive users and steal their information. If an application promises the impossible, it is most likely a scam product. user island,” warned Agranovich.

Meta has informed about 1 million Facebook users that their information, including usernames and passwords, may have been exposed. Also share tips with victims to prevent a second scammer’s trap by detecting problematic apps.

The company said it notified Apple and Google of the situation in order to remove the app from the download store.

Meta has informed about 1 million Facebook users that their information, including usernames and passwords, may have been exposed (Image: REUTERS)

After receiving information from Meta, Apple said only 45 of the 400 malicious apps were usable on iOS and removed them from the App Store. Meanwhile, Google says most of the apps that Meta “flagged” have been removed from the Google Play app store.

According to Agranovich, the malicious activity took place outside of the Meta system, and not all of the 1 million users had their passwords compromised.

If you feel you’ve downloaded a malicious app and logged in with your Facebook credentials, you’re advised to delete the app and quickly reset your password.

In addition, turn on two-factor authentication to increase the security of your account, and turn on the login alert feature to let you know if someone tries to log into your account without permission.