We’ve all been there. You’re scrolling through your Facebook feed, and an ad pops up promising to help you grow your business with some AI-powered software…

Sounds tempting, doesn’t it? Without giving it much thought, you click to see what it’s about.

Bad news: This is a big red flag.

Cybercriminals have been discovered producing Facebook adverts that claim to boost your productivity and earnings. But there’s a catch when you click.
The software they request you install is malware (malicious software).

And once on your computer, it can provide crooks with access to your Facebook data, including your ad budget.

“Who would fall for such an obvious ruse?” you might ask.

But let’s be honest. It’s easy to fall for the lure when you’re a small business owner juggling a million tasks at once. And these hackers are clever. They know how to make their phoney offers appear legitimate, as well as how to hide malware on your machine, so it is difficult to detect.

How do you stay safe? First, be sceptical of offers that seem too good to be true, because they often are. You can verify ads by Googling the advertiser before clicking on them.

And above all, take steps to secure your Facebook account. Use two-factor authentication, where you use a second device to prove it’s really you logging in.

Remember, these cyber thieves may be cunning, but they are not invincible. The researchers who discovered this technique, for example, discovered multiple Vietnamese keywords in the malicious script.

This serves as yet another sharp reminder of the critical need of robust cybersecurity. Yes, owning a business is a balancing act, and adding another ball to the mix might be daunting.

But consider this: Would you rather spend a little time now securing your account, or a lot of time later dealing with the consequences of a breach?

The adage goes, “Prevention is better than cure.” So, be cautious, keep attentive, and defend everything you’ve worked so hard to create. Please contact us if you require assistance with this.