Facebook Users Warned Against ‘iTunes’ Phishing E-mail

Garlik, the company specializing in security of online identity, has cautioned Facebook users to watch out for an e-mail scam targeting the widely-used social-networking site.

Andy Thomas, Commercial Director of Garlik, warned at December-end 2009 that a scam was targeting Facebook by offering users an apparently free voucher for iTunes at £25, as reported by SCMagazine on January 5, 2010. Spreading through an invitation, the scam included transmitting a message to the group administrators that contained user's e-mail address and name. Some 464,00 or so responses have been reported.

According to Thomas, based on some basic logic and math, it is evident that the scam will cost Apple around £12 Million. Actually, it is well-timed as it exploits people's faith in iTunes and their favor for a bargain, he explains.

Thomas further explains that members can expect to get only an unpleasant shock via an e-mail like the one presenting iTunes 'gift' or their addresses may ornate a phisher's list of e-mail IDs ready for sale. Thus, Thomas warned that if any member or his pals were to get added to such lists, they might better prepare themselves for the future outcomes.

The security specialists have commented that the event indicates that although most people may think they're skilled enough to have all the information, it is important to know when to be vigilant.

Consequently, the specialists state that users can best protect themselves by ignoring phishing e-mails at the very outset. Similarly, they should not believe anything sent to them online that sounds to good to be true amidst the real-world circumstances because it could be a fake. Moreover, users should always make sure that their Internet security software is up-to-date to keep away undesirable phishing e-mails.

Owing to the continuous scams, Facebook is upgrading its security to ward off attackers, who strive to exploit widely-used social platforms in order to extract valuable user data.

Simon Axten, Facebook Spokesperson, said the website had built multiple safeguards to fight against phishing, including complicated automated systems, which worked invisibly to spot and signal Facebook, as reported by Searchsecurity.techtarget on January 11, 2010.

Related article: Facebook Users Should be Careful of a Computer Virus

» SPAMfighter News - 1/15/2010