Meta Platforms said the usernames and passwords of around 1 million Facebook users on Friday have been ‘compromised.’ The parent company said that those affected would be notified about the situation.
Meta said that this year the company had identified more than 400 ‘malicious’ apps on iOS and Android that target internet users and steal their login information. The apps were disguised as photo editors, mobile games, or health trackers.
Some of these were downloaded from Apple and Alphabet (Google) software stores, both of whom have been informed about the issue, Meta added.
Read More: Meta Shuts Down Its Twice-Weekly Newsletter Bulletin
Meanwhile, Apple informed that 45 of the 400 apps were downloaded from its store, which have now been removed. Meanwhile, a Google spokesperson noted all its ‘malicious’ apps had been taken off.
The social media giant said it would share tips on how to avoid falling prey to the above-mentioned malicious apps with the users whose accounts have been compromised, whether for Facebook or any other networking website.
David Agranoivch, the company’s Director of Global Threat Disruption, said that out of the 1 million users, not all had their accounts compromised. Agranovich also informed that some ‘malicious activity’ occurred off Meta’s systems.
“If an app promises you something too good to be true, such as unreleased features for another platform or a social media site, chances are it has ulterior motives,” Agranovich remarked.
