NICEVILLE, Fla. — It’s Geek to Me columnist Jeff Werner is warning readers about Facebook posts and viral challenges that appear harmless but are often tied to online scams.
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I have written before on the topic of Facebook, and why it’s a bad idea to respond to those posts that solicit a prayer for some poor child, or that challenge you to name a song without some letter in the title.
In fact, I.G.T.M. Issue #500, one of the most popular of the column’s past issues, dealt with this subject in some depth. Like all issues, it is still in the archives on my website, and it’s worth a read, even though I’m going to cover much of the information in today’s issue.
When it comes to posts like this, don’t believe the rhetoric that says, “One share = one prayer.” Your comment on the photo does not mean the child in the photo will be saved or helped in any way, for that matter.
The underlying problem is a practice known as “Like Farming,” where scammers set up content designed to tug at your heartstrings and motivate you to share or “Like” a page or image. Hence the name Like Farming.
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Here’s what’s actually happening when you type “Amen” or share the photo on your personal feed.
You are inadvertently exploiting what is most likely a stolen image of a child whose family has no idea it is being used. In the process, you are making money for the owners of the page that posted it, or the people who stole the photo and created a post out of it.
Of course, this isn’t necessarily limited to children. Pictures of wounded warriors, abused animals, battered women, and more are all exploited in this scam.
Then there are the trivia ones, where you are challenged to think of something that is usually quite easy, but they make it sound like you have to be a genius to think of an answer.
“Can you name a color without a B in it? Bet you can’t!”
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All of these types of post are cut from the same cloth, and all of them are junk.
You don’t have to believe me.
Scams like this were discussed in an article by Consumer Affairs, which said, “Since Facebook’s algorithms place a high value on popularity (as measured by likes and shares), these highly liked and shared pages therefore have a much higher chance of appearing in people’s ‘Feeds’ and being seen by other Facebook users.
Then, once the page has a sufficiently high popularity rating, the like-farmer either removes the page’s original content and replaces it with something else (usually malware or scam advertising); leaves the page as is and uses it as a platform for continued like-farming in order to spread malware, collect people’s marketing information or engage in other harmful activities; or outright sells the highly liked site to cybercriminals in a black market web forum.”
In other words, when you engage posts like this, you are contributing to their popularity.
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When they become popular, they become valuable, and the owner of the page can sell it.
This may sound like just so much needless fear-mongering. But the truth is that the way Facebook racks and stacks what it shows to its users, once a couple of people like or share a post, it winds up in other people’s feeds.
It gathers more likes and shares, and can easily snowball, gaining likes exponentially.
It doesn’t help the person in the image, but it is sure to delight the scammer.
So, my advice to you is to be “heartless” and keep on scrolling.
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In doing so, you are protecting not only yourself, but all your Facebook friends that will be the first target for any content that you like or share.
Put an end to the cycle and let the scammers wonder why their little scam stopped working.
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And if you really want to help children, there are plenty of legitimate organizations where you can donate or volunteer.
Geek Note: My dear Readers, there is a thick layer of dust forming on my question queue!
I’ve received only a handful of questions in the last several weeks. There’s plenty of room in the column for me to handle yours, but I can’t answer your questions if you don’t send them in!
Asking is easy. Just visit my website and click the link that says, “Submit a Question.” I’m waiting to hear from you!
To view additional content, comment on articles, or submit a question, visit my website at ItsGeekToMe.co (not .com!)
Jeff Werner, a software engineer based in Niceville, Florida, has been writing his popular “It’s Geek to Me” tech column since 2007. He shares his expertise to help readers solve everyday tech challenges.
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