Watch Out for the "Anaconda Swallows Zookeeper" Video Scam
Description: Viral posts
Circulating since: March 2014
Status: Scam (see details below)
Caption example:
As shared on Facebook, April 4, 2014:
Analysis: Here we have yet another example of a viral Facebook scam touting a so-called "shocking video" as a means of exploiting user clicks to rack up page views and/or money.
An almost identical scam titled "Giant Snake Swallows Up a Zookeeper" circulated just a few months before this one appeared.
This particular version is configured such that users who try to view the video are redirected to a phony Facebook page where they're first asked to share, then to like the video before they can see it. Sharing it causes a blurb similar to the one above to appear on the user's timeline. Liking it causes the user's news feed to be inundated by spam posts.
Unlike many instances in which the advertised video doesn't really exist, this time there is actually a video to view once you've jumped through the scammers' hoops. It last about 30 seconds and shows a snake eating a crocodile, not a zookeeper. Worth the trouble? No. Worth the risk? Definitely not.
Don't endanger the security of your Facebook account, your computer, or your network by clicking on links in bogus posts promoting "shocking videos" or "breaking news." If such blurbs show up in your news feed, delete them.
Advise friends to do the same.
Here's some good basic advice all users should follow, direct from Facebook:
More Facebook clickjacking scams:
• "Giant Snake Swallows Up a Zookeeper" Video
• "16 People Dead in Roller Coaster Accident" Video
• "Girl Killed Herself Live on Cam" Video
• "Hungry Bear Tear Women into Pieces" Video
• "You Won't Believe What This Pregnant Girl Does!" Video
• "Dead Mermaid Discovered in Florida" Video
• "Will Smith Pronounced Dead" Video
Resources:
How to Protect Yourself from Clickjacking Attacks
About.com: Internet/Network Security
How to Keep Your Facebook Account Secure
Facebook Help Center
How to Spot a Facebook Survey Scam
Facecrooks.com, 6 February 2011
Giant Snakes Eating Zookeepers and Unwatchable Videos
Sophos Naked Security, 13 June 2012
Last updated 05/12/14
Circulating since: March 2014
Status: Scam (see details below)
Caption example:
As shared on Facebook, April 4, 2014:
[Shocking VIDEO] A giant Anaconda swallows Up a Nigga Zookeeper in South Africa
Scared! World's largest Anaconda
Analysis: Here we have yet another example of a viral Facebook scam touting a so-called "shocking video" as a means of exploiting user clicks to rack up page views and/or money.
An almost identical scam titled "Giant Snake Swallows Up a Zookeeper" circulated just a few months before this one appeared.
This particular version is configured such that users who try to view the video are redirected to a phony Facebook page where they're first asked to share, then to like the video before they can see it. Sharing it causes a blurb similar to the one above to appear on the user's timeline. Liking it causes the user's news feed to be inundated by spam posts.
Unlike many instances in which the advertised video doesn't really exist, this time there is actually a video to view once you've jumped through the scammers' hoops. It last about 30 seconds and shows a snake eating a crocodile, not a zookeeper. Worth the trouble? No. Worth the risk? Definitely not.
Don't endanger the security of your Facebook account, your computer, or your network by clicking on links in bogus posts promoting "shocking videos" or "breaking news." If such blurbs show up in your news feed, delete them.
Advise friends to do the same.
Here's some good basic advice all users should follow, direct from Facebook:
Think before you click. Never click suspicious links, even if they come from a friend or a company you know. This includes links sent on Facebook (ex: in a chat or post) or in emails. If one of your friends clicks on spam they could accidentally send you that spam or tag you in a spammy post. You also shouldn't download things (ex: a .exe file) if you aren’t sure what they are.
More Facebook clickjacking scams:
• "Giant Snake Swallows Up a Zookeeper" Video
• "16 People Dead in Roller Coaster Accident" Video
• "Girl Killed Herself Live on Cam" Video
• "Hungry Bear Tear Women into Pieces" Video
• "You Won't Believe What This Pregnant Girl Does!" Video
• "Dead Mermaid Discovered in Florida" Video
• "Will Smith Pronounced Dead" Video
Resources:
How to Protect Yourself from Clickjacking Attacks
About.com: Internet/Network Security
How to Keep Your Facebook Account Secure
Facebook Help Center
How to Spot a Facebook Survey Scam
Facecrooks.com, 6 February 2011
Giant Snakes Eating Zookeepers and Unwatchable Videos
Sophos Naked Security, 13 June 2012
Last updated 05/12/14