Dan Kitwood, Getty Images
Dan Kitwood, Getty Images
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Facebook has been blowing up recently with users making posts about losing copyright control of their material shared on the social networking site.There are posts even stating that you have to pay to keep your materials private. Not so. It's all a HOAX! So much so, that I went searching for the top scams and hoaxes. Here's what I've found so far.

1. The Privacy Scam...According to CNN, this has been around for awhile and looks like this.

"In response to the new Facebook guidelines, I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, comics, paintings, professional photos and videos, etc. (as a result of the Berner Convention). For commercial use of the above my written consent is needed at all times!"

Here's the thing: Facebook doesn't own your posts. Under the social network's privacy policy, they have the right to distribute and share the things a user posts, subject to their privacy and application settings. (Check out Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities here.)

The hoax doesn't even have its facts right. A quick Google search will also show that there's is no such thing as the Berner Convention. (Whoever originated it probably meant to write the Berne convention, which is an international agreement protecting literary and artistic works).

So breathe a big sigh of relief. Your Facebook profile is fine. If anything, use this as an opportunity to double check your privacy settings by clicking on the lock icon in the upper-right corner of your profile.

"I do not give Facebook or any entities associated with Facebook permission to use my pictures, information, or posts, both past and future. By this statement, I give notice to Facebook it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of privacy can be punished by law (UCC 1-308- 1 1 308-103 and the Rome Statute). NOTE: Facebook is now a public entity. All members must post a note like this. If you prefer, you can copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once it will be tactically allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in the profile status updates."

2.The Subscription Hoax. This one in particular seems to have taken over the site.

"Now it's official! It has been published in the media. Facebook has just released the entry price: £5.99 to keep the subscription of your status to be set to "private." If you paste this message on your page, it will be offered free (I said paste not share) if not tomorrow, all your posts can become public. Even the messages that have been deleted or the photos not allowed. After all, it does not cost anything for a simple copy and paste."

Facebook says its service will always be free.

3.The Photo Notification Scam is different. It comes via e-mail.

It works like this. You receive a message saying you were tagged in a photo, however you don't want to blindly click here.

The scam email comes from a "Faceboook.com" address (with an extra "o") – and if you follow the enclosed link, you'll end up downloading malware. Your best bet is to delete the message ASAP. -

4.The dislike button scam. This one is dangerous too.

Users post a link that claims to tell people how to get their new Facebook "dislike button"; instead, it takes you to another site that will take your personal information.

5. Clickjacking.

"Clickjacking is when scammers load fake buttons and icons to trick people into making unwanted actions." Usually, those actions involve giving up personal information. If you've accidentally clicked on one of these posts, check out the NakedSecurity blog for tips on what to do next.

Be smart and use commons sense while surfing the inter-webs.

 

 

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