Technology / Internet
Facebook profiles flooded with porn
15 Nov 2011 at 21:37hrs | Views
Facebook is facing criticism as users deal with a virus that posts hardcore porn and scenes of violence on their profiles.
The attacks are happening at random. Some attacks require the unsuspecting user to click on a message, such as a link to a video. Others come in spam such as mass messages and tagged photos.
Those hacked have the images pop up on their news feeds and in their messages while the spam is passed along to their friends.
Facebook confirmed Tuesday that they are investigating reports of the graphic posts.
"We have recently experienced an increase in reports and we are investigating and addressing the issue," Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes told FoxNews.com . "We are always working to improve our systems to isolate and remove material that violates our terms. Protecting the people who use Facebook from spam and malicious content is a top priority for us."
Courtney Zito, an actress and director, told The Christian Post that one image was of a "guy who had his skull bashed in and his brains on the street."
"I have 5,000 friends," she said. "My feed is littered with porn. I can't even check my news feed with anyone around because of it."
Gawker shared complaints posted to Twitter. Among them, "Yep Facebook done turned into a porn site." Another Tweet stated, "I can't go on facebook anymore because it's a legit porn site."
As people have their accounts flooded with the images, the Daily Mail reported that users are increasing angry at Facebook for not being able to stop it despite their touted strict controls of what can be posted.
Some are canceling their accounts so that the material will not spread to others. Others are avoiding opening their accounts.
Website developer Robert Pimpster told the Christian Post that users can protect themselves by being careful what they click on.
"I have had ZERO issues with porn on FB," he said. "I keep my security levels at high levels to protect my privacy and only share with those I wish to at a specific time."
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The attacks are happening at random. Some attacks require the unsuspecting user to click on a message, such as a link to a video. Others come in spam such as mass messages and tagged photos.
Those hacked have the images pop up on their news feeds and in their messages while the spam is passed along to their friends.
Facebook confirmed Tuesday that they are investigating reports of the graphic posts.
"We have recently experienced an increase in reports and we are investigating and addressing the issue," Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes told FoxNews.com . "We are always working to improve our systems to isolate and remove material that violates our terms. Protecting the people who use Facebook from spam and malicious content is a top priority for us."
Courtney Zito, an actress and director, told The Christian Post that one image was of a "guy who had his skull bashed in and his brains on the street."
Gawker shared complaints posted to Twitter. Among them, "Yep Facebook done turned into a porn site." Another Tweet stated, "I can't go on facebook anymore because it's a legit porn site."
As people have their accounts flooded with the images, the Daily Mail reported that users are increasing angry at Facebook for not being able to stop it despite their touted strict controls of what can be posted.
Some are canceling their accounts so that the material will not spread to others. Others are avoiding opening their accounts.
Website developer Robert Pimpster told the Christian Post that users can protect themselves by being careful what they click on.
"I have had ZERO issues with porn on FB," he said. "I keep my security levels at high levels to protect my privacy and only share with those I wish to at a specific time."
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Source - FoxNews.com
