Is there a Facebook spybot?
UPDATE: DO NOT remove this item, see GeekDrop Facebook Spybot entry for more info.
hat tip to @tomharvey888 who sent me this:
RT @bengie Has your facebook been running slow? Go to “Settings” > “application settings” > “added to profile”. delete “unnamed application” -> spybot
Do i have the so called Facebook Application spybot? Apparently so.
Clicking settings will cause an unknown error and the application profile does not exist (it will redirect you to home).
I’m not convinced this is malicious and with no evidence to suggest it is a spybot (would love to hear from you, if you do with a source), I remind you of the SULFNBK.EXE (Symantec) fake alert inviting you to delete a file that was actual an integral part of windows.
I think the most likely explanation for this unnamed app is a leftover from a now removed function – perhaps one from before the profile view was changed.
To remove or not to remove the Facebook spybot? …that is the question.
I’d like to hear from anyone who does not find this when they follow the instructions above, so far everyone I know who has tried this did… which would suggest to me it’s more likely a remnant as above.
Thoughts, screenshots… all welcome below.
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I id this on my Mac this morning and it is gone and now I’ve looked on an XP machine it is still not there.
its web based so it shouldn’t matter what machine you’re running on. So far everyone (well 5 people who’ve responded) has this file, so I’m still in the harmless remnant camp…
I’ve been told that in the ‘help’ area of Facebook where you can ask questions there is an official response to this from Facebook.
In short its something that their dev team have ‘accidentally on purpose’ left there whilst working on new profile settings. Deleting or removing it can lead to bits of your current profile disappearing!
Someone did pass me a link to the page with the official response on it, I will try and find it again and post it here!
I did go and look, and did find it, and have delelted it. Paranoia? Maybe, but better safe than sorry?
Here’s some more info on it, and how to fix your Boxes tab if anyone fell for the hoax:
http://geekdrop.com/content/facebook-spybot-how-to-remove
I did not have it. I hope this helps?
)
I had some sort of gremlin get into my facebook account, and message a few people with a virus laden link. Nice! I had a look for this ‘spybot’ and didn’t find in in my account. I did remove something the other day though – but not from application settings, though i can’t remember where!
Thanks @geekdrop – I’ve updated the original post