Let’s take a guess.
You’ve received a suspicious message on Facebook and are unsure whether to reply. We’ve all been there.
With three billion users, the social media platform is a hotspot for cyberattacks. So, it’s only natural to be extra cautious.
But can you get hacked by replying to a Facebook message? Continue reading to find out.
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Is Facebook safe?
Facebook is a social media network where users connect with family and friends. Founded by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004, it’s currently a top go-to place on the internet.
The platform offers a range of tools to promote meaningful interactions. These include:
- Status updates
- Photo and video posts
- Posts sharing
- Multimedia streaming
- Messenger
Users can also create community groups based on common interests. Likewise, there are tools for businesses to nurture brands using fan pages.
And when it comes to safety, Facebook doesn’t slack. It employs tons of features to help keep the platform secure.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is on top of that list, moderating everything users post. Through machine learning, it can quickly identify and delete harmful content.
Examples include violent posts, malware, phishing links, scam posts, fake news, etc. Sometimes, the technology flags anything suspicious and sends it to human moderators for review.
And there’s more:
Facebook also provides intuitive features to enable you to take control of your security. For instance, you can block suspicious people from interacting with you.
Another nifty tool is the filter for messages from people not on your Friends list. As such, you’ll receive a request to either accept or delete the conversation.
Not to forget, all interactions on Messenger are via an encrypted connection. This hardens your communications making it complex for anyone to eavesdrop on you.
But as you’re about to find out, nothing is perfect.
What are the potential threats?
Facebook has its fair share of problems, even with the abovementioned security measures. Here are the potential threats to using the platform:
Malware and virus infections
Hackers have always found ways to bypass Facebook’s security systems. To achieve this, they create and share content infected with malware and viruses.
Facebook Messenger is usually the target because it allows users to share documents. Once clicked, the malicious files download and install, compromising your device.
Keylogging
Some files shared on Facebook come infected with spyware called a keylogger. As the name suggests, it records every keystroke you make on your device.
It mostly spies on login credentials, credit card details, websites you visit, etc. After completing the process, it remotely forwards the data to hackers to use the information.
Phishing
Phishing is a cybercrime where attackers deceive people into sharing sensitive personal information such as your name, bank details, passwords, and more. Fraudsters may also send hyperlinks that lead to malicious websites that steal your data.
Scamming
Hackers are not the only people you may encounter on Facebook. You’re bound to cross paths with scammers waiting to prey on your naivety.
These snake oil salesmen use deceptive messages to convince you to spend your hard-earned money. The majority of such scams revolve around forex trading, gambling, lotteries, and so on.
Now to the elephant in the room.
Can you get hacked by replying to a Facebook message?
The truth? Yes and no! Allow us to explain.
As mentioned earlier, you can preview message requests on Facebook before taking action. This allows you to inspect the content before responding.
Still, replying to a conversation can’t get you hacked. You can do so to put off malicious senders politely.
But a word of caution:
Maintaining conversations with suspicious Facebook users increases the chances of getting compromised. That’s because senders may try to win your trust before convincing you to take dangerous action.
You’re also highly likely to click links and attachments on Messenger accidentally. Accordingly, you’ll risk sharing sensitive details and installing harmful software on your device.
Not to forget, you may eventually fall into traps laid by scammers. In the end, you’ll have yourself to blame for not being extra cautious.
The good news? We’ll share security tips to enhance your safety when using Facebook Мessenger.
How to stay safe?
Your safety should come first when communicating through Facebook messages. Just adhere to these simple rules:
- Preview message requests before accepting to activate the reply option.
- Avoid clicking links from conversations with strangers.
- Double-check hyperlinks sent to you by people you know.
- Don’t download suspicious files shared via Messenger.
- Block strangers that keep hounding you to provide personal details.
Apart from the above, be cautious about messages with attachments that have deceptive taglines. Here are some examples:
- Have you seen your leaked photos?
- Check out your video here.
- Click this link for free airline ticket offers.
Ultimately, you should arm your device with antivirus software. It will go a long way in shielding you against threats that come with using Facebook.
We recommend using TotalAV, which ranks among the best security tools. With over 30 million users, you won’t go wrong with this one.
The antivirus offers real-time protection to block malicious apps from installing on your device. They include but are not limited to malware, viruses, spyware, ransomware, etc.
You get WebShield to stop your device from opening harmful hyperlinks. The usual culprits comprise phishing and websites commonly known to scam visitors.
TotalAV also provides identity theft protection to secure you against losing sensitive information. Likewise, you’ll get alerts whenever your details leak online so that you can take action.
Conclusion
If you were asking, “Can you get hacked by replying to a Facebook message?” You now have the answer.
Make it a habit of scrutinizing interactions with strangers on the platform. As a rule, avoid opening suspicious links and downloading unverifiable attachments.
Overall, investing in a good antivirus is your best decision. It will shield you against falling victim to hackers when using Facebook.
