Tags: Internet
By Anna Valmero
QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA— What used to be chain letters have evolved into chain posts appearing on Facebook that encourage users to “share” an image in hopes of amassing amounts to purportedly fund a good cause.
Just recently, Facebook “walls” were flooded by a picture of a baby who allegedly needs an operation that can be funded if users share the image.
“Users of the social network have to wade through a seemingly constant tide of messages shared by their well-meaning friends, making it hard to sort the wheat from the chaff,” says Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for software security firm Sophos.
“Some Facebook users admit that they don’t know if the story is true or not, but still urge their online friends to share it,”
Cluley adds that such messages claimingto generate funds for every Facebook share is a hoax, especially since “no information in the post provided evidence that the story is true, or where in the world the child is.”
The security expert points out that some of these photos have been circulating in the Internet “for some years” already.
Re-sharing chain letters on Facebook only adds to the slew of spam messages on the social network, and also encourages friends and family to follow bad practices online, said Cluley.
He advises Facebook users to notify a contact if they have shared a hoax post to prevent the spread of misleading posts.
Web Safety PH creator Sonnie Santos, meanwhile, reminds Filipinos that as a rule of thumb, security online “requires a lot of common sense and recognizing the importance of privacy.”
Meaning, if you doubt the truthfulness of a post, think twice about clicking the “Share” button.
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