Every day, millions of Internet users connect to social networks and instant messaging applications. Unfortunately, this success leads to abuses that represent dangers for user safety. The most popular platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp, have become real hunting grounds for cybercriminals.
On social networks, it is not uncommon to be contacted by strangers looking to steal confidential information. To achieve this, hackers can approach Internet users by sending them a friend request or simply by sending them a private message.
Online scam: what are the new functions developed by Meta?
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger and WhatsApp, has become aware of the problem. In a press release published on March 11 on its website (new window)the multinational announced the deployment of new features to protect Internet users. On Facebook, for example, artificial intelligence will analyze profiles that send friend requests. If the system judges the approach to be suspicious, based on mutual friends, location or other inconsistencies, it will send a message to warn the user. “An alert is displayed to help you make an informed decision and block or reject suspicious requests”
indicated the Menlo Park firm in its press release.
Concerning WhatsApp, Meta has worked on another alert, which aims to warn users when a third party tries to connect to their account. It is therefore a new layer of security which allows Internet users to be informed of a potential danger, especially if they have recently been victims of phishing. (new window) or a fake QR code scam.
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Messenger: anything new to fight against online scams?
Finally, Meta has also developed a new security measure for Messenger users. This is “Advanced Scam Detection“, a feature that alerts Internet users when a scammer tries to approach them with a scam already known to the system. So, if a hacker tries to trap a victim with a suspicious competition, fraudulent financial investments or even dubious job offers, Messenger will warn them immediately. “If a potential scam is detected, you will get more information about common scams and we will suggest actions to take, including blocking or reporting the suspicious account”
concludes Meta in his press release.
