Opening a link sent to you via Facebook Messenger can potentially expose you to security risks if your friend’s account has been hacked. Hackers often gain access to people’s online accounts and then use them to distribute malicious links in order to infect more devices or steal personal information. If you receive a suspicious message from a friend containing a link, it’s important to be cautious before clicking or tapping on it. In this article, we’ll explore what could happen if you do open a link from a hacked Facebook Messenger account, and provide tips on how to best handle these types of situations.
What types of risks are introduced by opening hacked links?
There are a few main threats that can stem from clicking on a link from a compromised Facebook account:
Malware infection – One of the most common objectives of hacking someone’s account is to distribute malware hidden within links. Malware is an umbrella term referring to malicious software like viruses, ransomware, spyware, and others. If you click a link containing malware, it could infect your device and give hackers access to sensitive data, lock your files for ransom, monitor your online activity, or otherwise compromise your system.
Phishing attempts – Phishing is when hackers create fake login pages or other websites designed to steal your personal information. A link from a hacked account may direct to a convincing but fraudulent page mimicking Facebook, your bank, webmail, or other services in hopes you’ll enter your username and password or other details that they can steal.
Spam links – Spammers frequently take over people’s accounts and use them to share spammy links all over in an attempt to generate traffic, sign-ups, app installs, surveys, and other activities that earn them money or harvest your information. These links may be annoying or even dangerous.
Redirects – A link from a compromised account might redirect you through multiple sites to disguise the true malicious end destination. By clicking through several stages of redirects, you may end up somewhere you didn’t intend that could put you at risk.
So in summary – malware, phishing, spam, and suspicious redirects are the primary ways opening a shared link can introduce security issues if your friend’s account has been taken over by hackers.
What specifically can happen if you click the link?
Here are some specific consequences that could occur if you do open a link or attachment from a hacked Facebook Messenger account:
- Downloading malware that infects your device, giving attackers access to personal data, pictures, webcam, microphone, location, passwords, etc.
- Accidentally entering your login credentials on a phishing site that looks like Facebook, resulting in your account being compromised.
- Being redirected through various sites that track your IP address, plant cookies for monitoring purposes, or expose you to exploit sites.
- Having your name, email address, or other info added to spam subscription lists that could lead to more spam.
- Potentially infecting your contacts if the malware or phishing link spreads through your own account as well.
- Falling for tech support or account suspension scam links aimed to extort money.
- Being directed to inappropriate/explicit content, if hackers change account settings.
- Downloading files containing viruses or other harmful executables.
- Enabling lock screen ransomware that encrypts your data until you pay a ransom fee.
- Granting microphone, contacts, or location access to an app you install via the link.
- Filling out surveys that obtain personal details for identity theft or ad targeting.
The consequences can range in severity depending on the exact nature of the threat, but hackers gain access to accounts with malicious intent, so clicking any link could open you up to serious negative impacts. At best, it may be just annoying spam, but it could also compromise very sensitive personal data.
How can you tell if a message is suspicious?
Here are some signs that a message you receive via Facebook Messenger may be suspicious:
- Unexpected message: It seems oddly random, out of context, or not something your friend would normally send.
- Generic greeting: It uses a generic opening like “Hi” or “Hello” rather than your name.
- Sense of urgency: Pressures you to click fast by saying the deal ends soon, their account will be shut down, etc.
- Odd syntax/grammar: Contains spelling errors, strange phrasing, or language your friend wouldn’t use.
- Link hiding: The true URL is concealed by a shortened link or text saying “Click here.”
- Upsetting content: Inappropriate images or threats out of character for your friend.
- Profile changes: Your friend’s profile image, bio, or name was suddenly changed.
- Mass messages: You receive the exact same strange message as many other friends.
Basically, any message that seems off compared to your normal interactions, conveys urgency, hides the link destination, has odd grammar/wording, or was blasted out indiscriminately should be treated as suspicious. Hackers often gain access to hundreds or thousands of accounts, so seeing widespread identical odd messages is a giveaway. Trust your instincts if something seems phishy.
What should you do if you receive a suspicious message?
If you receive a message on Facebook Messenger that appears suspicious:
- Don’t click the link – This is the most important first step. Even if you think it might be fine, don’t risk it.
- Check your friend’s profile – Look for changes like a new profile pic, cover photo, name, or bio text that signal an account takeover.
- See if others got the message – Ask mutual friends if they also received something similar to gauge if it’s a mass hack.
- Double check the link URL – Copy and paste it into a text doc to see the full hidden link behind a short redirect.
- Ask your friend if they sent it – If it’s legitimate but just seemed odd, they’ll confirm they sent it.
- Warn your friend – If signs point to hacking, message your friend through another channel or call to alert them.
- Report the message – Use Facebook’s reporting tools to flag the suspicious message for review.
- Change passwords – If their account was compromised, have your friend change passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
- Run a scan – If you did unfortunately click, run a malware/virus scan just in case and watch for further oddities.
Exercising caution, verifying details, communicating with your friend, and reporting issues can help protect you both from potential hacks or phishing attempts. Don’t panic if you receive something unusual, but don’t blindly click either.
How can you avoid these threats in the future?
Here are some tips to enhance your safety and avoid risks from hacked accounts in the future:
- Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts whenever possible, requiring a second step to log in from new devices.
- Be wary of shortened links – expand them to see the full URL before clicking, or use a preview site like CheckShortURL.
- Hover over links to preview their true destination before clicking.
- Install antivirus software to scan for and block malware.
- Keep all your software up-to-date with the latest security patches.
- Use strong, unique passwords for each account, managed through a password manager.
- Be skeptical of urgent requests, offers that seem too good to be true, or threats of account deletion.
- Adjust privacy settings to limit who can see your friend list and profile details.
- Review Facebook’s list of known phishing tactics to identify and report suspicious behavior.
Making your accounts and system more secure overall will reduce the chances of being impacted even if one of your contacts is compromised in the future.
Conclusion
Opening a link from a hacked Facebook Messenger account can introduce major risks ranging from malware and phishing to identity theft if you accidentally provide sensitive information. Stay vigilant for any messages that seem suspicious, look for signs of account takeover, avoid clicking questionable links, and report issues promptly. Enhancing your own privacy controls and security measures can also minimize future threats that stem from friends’ compromised accounts. With caution and awareness, you can protect yourself online even if a scammer gains access to your contacts’ accounts. Stay safe out there!