Free iPhone rogue applications run riot on Facebook

Facebook is being deluged with messages claiming that users have received free iPhones, and inviting others to participate in a scheme to receive a free Apple smartphone for themselves.

However, the messages are being sent by a brace of rogue applications that users are allowing to access their profiles, and post messages to their walls, without considering the consequences.

Many of the messages read:

Just testing Facebook for iPhone out :P Received my free iPhone today, so happy lol.. If anyone else wants one go here: <link>

or:

Anyone want my old phone? Claimed my free iPhone today, so happy lol.. If anyone else wants one go here: <link>

With iPhones so desirable, it’s no surprise that some people might want to take advantage of an apparent short cut to a free one of their own – but what actually happens if you click on the link?

Your first port of call is the application’s page, which displays a…

Read more in my article on the Naked Security website.

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Graham Cluley •   @gcluley

Graham Cluley is a veteran of the cybersecurity industry, having worked for a number of security companies since the early 1990s when he wrote the first ever version of Dr Solomon's Anti-Virus Toolkit for Windows. Now an independent analyst, he regularly makes media appearances and is an international public speaker on the topic of cybersecurity, hackers, and online privacy. Follow him on Twitter, Mastodon, Threads, Bluesky, or drop him an email.