Hackers use bot to find Facebook users’ phone numbers

Facebook has over 2 billion monthly active users. That’s a lot of people sharing a lot of personal information on the site. And hackers know this. In fact, they’ve recently developed a bot that can automatically scour Facebook for phone numbers belonging to users. What do we know about the stolen data? According to reports, […]

Posted - October 4, 2022

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Attacks & Breaches Cybersecurity Hacking How-To

Facebook has over 2 billion monthly active users. That’s a lot of people sharing a lot of personal information on the site. And hackers know this. In fact, they’ve recently developed a bot that can automatically scour Facebook for phone numbers belonging to users.

What do we know about the stolen data?

According to reports, the data that was stolen includes names, phone numbers, and email addresses of Facebook users. While this may not seem like much, it can be used by hackers to find out more about a person and potentially gain access to their account. In addition, the stolen data could be used for spamming or phishing attacks.

We recommend that all Facebook users change their passwords and enable two-factor authentication. This will help to protect your account in case your data has been compromised.

How the hack works

Hackers are using a bot to find Facebook users’ phone numbers. The bot scrapes the Facebook website for profile information and uses that information to find the user’s phone number. Once the phone number is found, the hacker can use it to access the user’s account and take over their account.

This is a serious security vulnerability that Facebook needs to address immediately. If you are a Facebook user, you should be aware of this hack and take steps to protect your account.

How perpetrators can use your phone number for fraud

Your phone number is a valuable piece of personal information. It can be used to track your location, send you unwanted messages or even commit fraud.

That’s why it’s important to be vigilant about who you give your number to and what you post online. Hackers are increasingly using automated software, or “bots,” to scour the Internet for phone numbers. They then use these numbers to commit a variety of crimes, from spamming your phone with marketing calls to stealing your identity.

There are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself from this type of fraud:

-Be careful about who you give your number to. If someone you don’t know asks for your number, be suspicious.

-Don’t post your number online. Whether it’s on social media or in a forum, there’s no need to publicly share your phone number.

-Consider using a VoIP service. Services like Skype and Google Voice allow you to make and receive calls without giving out your real phone number.

By taking these precautions, you can help protect yourself from becoming a victim of phone number fraud.

How to protect yourself from being hacked

If you are a Facebook user, you may have recently been targeted by a group of hackers who used a bot to find your phone number. While this may seem like a minor inconvenience, it could lead to much more serious problems if your number falls into the wrong hands. Here are some tips to protect yourself from being hacked:

1. Use a strong password for your Facebook account. A strong password should be at least 8 characters long and contain a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

2. Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts. If hackers gain access to your Facebook password, they could also gain access to other accounts that use the same password.

3. Enable two-factor authentication for your Facebook account. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to enter a code from your mobile device when logging into Facebook.

4. Be careful about what information you share on Facebook. Hackers can use personal information such as your address or phone number to steal your identity or target you for scams.

5. Keep your software up to date. Outdated software can contain security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to gain access to your account. Make sure you are using the latest version of your web browser and have all other software programs on your computer updated.

What to do if you've been hacked

If you've been hacked, it's important to take action immediately to secure your account and prevent further damage. Here are some steps to take:

1. Change your password. This is the first and most important step in securing your account. Choose a strong, unique password that you haven't used before.

2. Check your permissions. Hackers may have changed your account permissions to grant them access to your personal information. Review the permissions for each app and remove any that you don't recognize or trust.

3. Update your security settings. Go to the Security tab in your Facebook settings and make sure that everything is set up the way you want it. Enable two-factor authentication if it's an option.

4. Watch for suspicious activity. Hackers may try to use your account to spread spam or malware. Be on the lookout for strange messages or posts from your account, unexpected friend requests, and so on. If you see anything suspicious, report it to Facebook immediately.

5. Keep your software up to date. Keeping your operating system and other software up to date is important for security in general, and it can help protect you from being hacked in the future.

The importance of cyber security

In the age of the internet, it's more important than ever to keep your personal information safe and secure. That's why it's so important to be aware of the dangers of hackers and cybercrime. One of the most common ways that hackers target victims is by using a bot to find their Facebook users' phone numbers. By doing this, they can then target these individuals with spam calls and phishing scams. But there are ways to protect yourself from these threats. Here are a few tips:

-Never click on links or attachments from unknown sources.

-Make sure your computer and software are up to date with the latest security patches.

-Use a reliable antivirus program and firewall.

-Think twice before giving out personal information online.

By following these simple tips, you can help protect yourself from becoming a victim of cybercrime.

Conclusion

Facebook has been in the news a lot lately for its data breaches, and it looks like the company is still having trouble keeping its users' information safe. Hackers have found a way to use bots to find Facebook users' phone numbers, which could potentially be used to steal their identities or commit other crimes. If you are concerned about your privacy on Facebook, you may want to consider deleting your account or limiting the amount of personal information that you share on the site.