400 apps might have stolen Facebook usernames

Meta (the company formerly known as Facebook) announced they found over 400 malicious apps for both iOS and Android devices with a common goal: to steal your login information.

Many of the apps were disguised as commonly used tools you’d want to download to your smartphone or tablet. But anyone who downloaded one of the apps and provided a Facebook login to use it handed over their personal information to online hackers behind the apps.

We have the short list of apps you need to delete today, plus what to do if you’ve been affected, and how to avoid falling for these fake apps.

 

Facebook finds 400+ malicious apps

The social media company announced their findings publicly after informing Apple, Google, and industry secure experts about the potentially threatening applications available for download in their respective app stores.

 

What malicious apps were found

The majority of the malicious apps were marketed as photo editing apps, most commonly, apps that offered to turn a photo of you into a cartoon. They were all intended to look helpful or fun so that new users would download them. These were the most popular categories of apps the malicious downloads fell into:

  • Photo editors
  • Business Utility
  • Phone Utility
  • Game
  • VPN
  • Lifestyle

We’ll include the full list of apps that both iPhone and Android users should check for on their devices to see if their login information is compromised at the bottom of this page.

 

How to watch out for Facebook fake ads

It’s not uncommon these days for some apps or websites to require a social media login to use them. However, that shouldn’t be the only requirement to use an app, especially something like a photo editor or VPN.

Once someone downloads one of the malicious apps, it will require the user to log in to Facebook to gain access to the app they’ve downloaded. If you provide your username and password, the hacker on the other end of the app receives your information. That means they not only have your Facebook login info, but they have personal information you’ve stored there, plus your friends list and access to your private messages.

Hackers can use your contacts to then try and scam even more people on your friends list.

Red flags to watch out for when downloading apps

  1. Check the app’s reviews before downloading. Are there a lot of past downloads, and reasonably high reviews?
  2. Check what the app promises, and see if it delivers after downloading
  3. Be suspicious of apps that require your social media that likely don’t need access to that information (like a photo editor app) – you shouldn’t need to provide social media to utilize the app

 

What to do if you logged into Facebook using a malicious app

If you identify one of the apps on the below list on your phone or tablet (whether it’s Apple or Android), you should follow these steps immediately. It’s also good to check your Facebook Privacy regularly.

1) Delete the malicious app from your device

2) Change your Facebook password

Reset your Facebook password (and any other passwords that use the same email/password combination) and create new, strong passwords (that are different for each website you use)

  • Click your profile picture in the top right of Facebook
  • Select Settings & privacy, then click Settings
  • Click Security and Login
  • Click Edit next to Change password
  • Enter your current password and new password.
  • Click Update Password or Save Changes

 

3) Set up 2-factor authentication

  • Login to your Facebook account on a desktop computer at facebook.com
  • Go to Settings & Privacy 
    • On a desktop computer, click the down carrot on the top right of your Facebook page to find Settings & Privacy > tap Settings > select Security and Login from the lefthand menu. (unfortunatley you can not active this feature on your mobile device, so you’ll need to log in on your desktop or laptop)
  • Scroll down and click Two-factor authentication if it’s off
  • You’ll need to enter your Facebook password to turn this feature on
  • Read more here

 

4) Turn on Facebook login alerts

  • Go to Settings & Privacy 
    • On a desktop computer, click the down carrot on the top right of your Facebook page to find Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings and select Security and Login from the lefthand menu
    • On a mobile app, tap Menu on the bottom right, then the Settings gear icon on the top right, scroll down and tap Security and Login
  • Scroll down to Get alerts about unrecognized logins
  • Turn on and select the ways you’d like to be notified
  • Read more here

 

5) Report the app to Facebook here

 

6) Protect your devices

As always, always make sure your devices are protected with good security protection on all of your devices for the best protection.  My top pick is TotalAV (Limited time deal: $19 your first year (80% off).  More: Best Antivirus Protection in 2022 found here.

 

Delete these apps now

Check to see if you have any apps labeled as these applications below and if so – delete them, and reset your password immediately.

 

iPhone apps identified by Facebook as malicious:

  • FB Advertising Optimization
  • Business ADS Manager
  • Ads Analytics
  • FB Adverts Optimization
  • FB Analytic
  • FB Adverts Community
  • Adverts Ai Optimize
  • Very Business Manager
  • FB Business Support
  • Fb Ads
  • Meta Optimizer
  • Business Manager Pages
  • Adverts Manager
  • Meta Adverts Manager
  • Ad Optimization Meta
  • FB Pages Manager
  • Business Ads
  • Meta Business
  • Business Suite Manager
  • FB Ads Cost
  • Adverts Bussiness Suite
  • Business Ads Clock
  • Ads & Pages
  • Business Suite
  • Business & Ads
  • Business Manager Overview
  • Business Suite Ads
  • Page Suite Manager
  • Business Meta Support
  • Pages Manager Suite
  • Business Meta Pages
  • Business Suite Ads
  • Ads Business Knowledge
  • Page Suite Managers
  • Pages Managers Suite
  • Ads Business Advance
  • Pages Manager Suite
  • Business Suite Optimize
  • Business Manager Suite
  • Business Suite Managers
  • Ads Business Manager
  • Ads Business Suite
  • Business Manager Pages
  • Business Adverts Manager
  • Ads Manager Suite
  • Business Manager Pages
  • Ads & Business Suit

 

Android apps identified by Facebook as malicious

  • CallShowLite
  • Apex Race Game
  • CallerPaper Show
  • Video Converter Master
  • Acetoon Photo Cartoon
  • Photo Frame PIP Collage Maker
  • ZodiHoroscope – Fortune Finder
  • Ads Manager Helper
  • Ad Optimization Meta
  • Ad Manager For Social
  • Agent John FPS Game
  • Unblocked Website
  • Best Fun Cam
  • Psychology Facts
  • Cool Photo Editor
  • Cool Filter Editor
  • Ads & Page
  • Ads Pages Manager
  • Constellation Master
  • AppLock-Lock Apps & Privacy Guard
  • Smooth Picture Editor
  • Text Camera
  • Artoon Photo Cartoon Creator
  • Pics Art
  • Ashtoon Cartoon Editor
  • Perfect Photo Effects | Loop Photo Animator
  • Bomb Master 3D
  • Free Music Downloader & Free Mp3 Downloader
  • Beauty Camera
  • Beauty Camera Plus
  • Photo Editor
  • Beauty Makeup Camera
  • Art Puzzle 2021
  • Biscuit Coco Cam
  • Blue-shoot Game
  • Blur Photo
  • Bluetouch Shooting Game
  • Ranger Crash Game
  • Bamboo VPN
  • Border Sticker Camera
  • Skintoon – Labs of Cartoon
  • Business Planner Manage
  • Classic filter camera
  • PIP Camera 2022
  • Candles VPN
  • Perfect Puzzles
  • Photo editor PIP collage maker
  • ToonPrisma – 3D Photo Effect
  • HD Video Player with music
  • BeautyCam
  • YouToon – AI Cartoon Effect
  • Play Phoot Editor & Collage
  • Photo Filter
  • Color Call
  • Photo PIP Camera
  • Craftsart Cartoon Photo Tools
  • Creatoon Face Editor
  • Photo Video Editor:Lena Editor
  • Crown Camera
  • Photo Pro 2021
  • Ads Manager Plus
  • Maker PIP Gallery
  • Pages Dashboard
  • Photoquipo Cartoon Pic Effect
  • Flyingfish Wallpaper
  • CameraAdorn
  • CreatorMould
  • ElegantImage
  • Deep Wallpaper-live,HD
  • Videolancer – Pro Video Maker
  • PIP Collage Coco
  • Dress up Charming
  • 3 Patti King – India Rummy
  • Face Picture
  • QR Barcode Scan
  • Atec Sparkle Photo Editor 2022
  • Enjoy Photo Editor
  • Ding Ding Photo Effect Editor
  • Art Photo Puzzle
  • Cartoon Face Photo Editor
  • Savetoon Art – Face Cartoon
  • Facetoon Photo Art
  • Fast VPN Proxy
  • Ads Optimize
  • Ads Manager For Business
  • Pica Artoon Face Editor
  • Photo Layout Editor
  • Instapic: Photo Editor Pro, Collage Maker
  • Shape Photo Editor
  • Share Photo Maker
  • Speedy Vpn Tunnel
  • Moldish – Men’s Photo Editor
  • FlyFish Speed
  • Stylist Fonts for Keyboard
  • PIP Editor Frame Photo
  • Flash QRCode Scanner
  • Transcend VPN
  • Free VPN Master
  • Super Tuber VPN
  • Tuber VPN – Free&Secure VPN Proxy Server
  • Fast Vpn Tunnel
  • Photo Puzzle 2021
  • Lone Hero Racing
  • Share Photo Editor
  • Arts Photos
  • Art Filters:Photo to Painting
  • Game Booster
  • Vinto Cam
  • Emotion Checker
  • Ghost VPN Proxy
  • Train Photo
  • Anime Photo
  • Photo Editor Pic Collage
  • Train Photo Frame
  • Hiyoo Hidenode pro
  • All in one Doc Editor & Viewer
  • Fun Wallpaper
  • Hotspot Free VPN
  • Highquality Purple Wallpaper
  • PIP Editor Image
  • Ice Selfie Beauty Cam
  • Image Move Puzzle
  • Business from Instagram
  • Wonderful Camera
  • Ora Horoscope – Fortune Finder
  • Ding Ding Photo Editor
  • Sketch CamPlus
  • Instant Translator
  • Kangaroo VPN
  • Photoont – Photo Collage Edit
  • Palmistry Reading Free
  • Toonex Photo Editor 2022
  • Male fitness
  • Pic Collage & Cartoon Editor
  • 4K Camera Hyper Photo Filters
  • Life Run
  • Lighting Creator Toon
  • Lightning VPN
  • Files Clear
  • PhotoEditor
  • Lofa – Studio Photo Cartoon
  • Lucky Catcher – Catch Them All
  • Lucky Number Pro
  • Video Remaker
  • MadToon Face Cartoon
  • Magic Horoscope
  • GB WA Warna Latest Version
  • Free Comic Photos
  • Foster – Cartoon Photo Effect
  • NeoSnap Photo Editor
  • Business Ads for Meta
  • Business Meta Manager
  • Meta Optimizer – Ads Analysis
  • Meteor vpn
  • Nebula Wallpaper
  • Photo Editor – Frame Effect
  • Full Screen Video Editor
  • Nice Photo
  • Sticker Maker Pro
  • Mold Figure Gym
  • Mood Camera
  • Astro Horoscope Guide 2022
  • MuMus Music Player
  • Photo PIP 2022
  • Camera PIP
  • Nuclear VPN Proxy
  • Okenyo Studio Creatoon
  • Pana Camera
  • Daily Fitness OLOnlan Cartoon Editor
  • Soda Music Player
  • Palmistry of Destiny
  • Popular Emoji
  • Hot Sexy Girls
  • Perfect Photo Album
  • Pewee Photoon – Photo Cartoon
  • Photo PIP
  • Critical Strike Ops – FPS 3D shooting Game
  • Tower Defense Zone – Batmen Rush
  • Simple Photo Adjuster
  • Blur Effect Camera
  • Photo Gaming Puzzle
  • Panorama Camera
  • Pip Camera 2022
  • Photo editor Pro
  • Sweet Summer Camera App
  • Abrasive Photo Editor
  • Photo Editors
  • Rainbow Photo Plaze
  • Photo Sticker&Camera:make you beauty
  • Pic collage: photo editor&beauty image
  • Camera PIP Editor
  • PIP Pic Camera Photo Editor
  • PIP Photo
  • PIP Editor Collage
  • Pixa: Photo Editor & Collage Maker
  • ToonArt
  • Treasures of the PharaohPIP Pic Camera Photo Editor
  • Photo Collage Maker Pic
  • Perfect Photo Editor
  • Smart AppLock
  • Cool Lock
  • Pulse Music Player
  • Pumpkin VPN
  • Punk Vpn
  • Pure-VPN:Fast Stable Secure internet Proxy
  • Deep Art Effects
  • Real Driving
  • Papatoon Face Art Editor
  • Camera Photo Editor
  • PIP Magic 2022
  • Photo Video Creator with Music
  • Pop Ringtone
  • Christmas Sticker Camera App
  • Ads Manager for Meta
  • Rocket Connect
  • Rush Car 3D
  • Rush Hour 3D – Heavy Traffic
  • Video Editor
  • Safe Link
  • Cartoon Illustrator
  • PIPO GIF
  • Surf Vpn
  • Sealand Music Player
  • Swarm Photo
  • Perfect ProCam
  • Fission Effectdo Pic Editor
  • ShineStar Camera
  • Light Exposure Photo Editor
  • Cartoon Cam Pro
  • High HD Wallpapers 4K
  • Amazing Photo Puzzle
  • Smart SMS Messages
  • Snap Beauty Camera
  • Snap Editor Pro
  • Snap Face Camera
  • Sandwich SnapBeauty Cam
  • Sofa Cartoon – Pro Editor
  • PIP 2022
  • Drift Speed Racing Game
  • Speed Booster
  • SplitScreen PIP
  • PicMix Photo Editor
  • Star Line
  • PIP PHOTO
  • Pvideo
  • Superior Speed
  • SurfVPN – Fast VPN Proxy
  • S-VPN Proxy
  • S VPN – Fast & Safe VPN Client
  • Lightly Camera
  • Sweet Beauty Plus Camera
  • Beauty Sweet Camera
  • Speedy Turbo
  • Fantastic camera
  • Flying Photo
  • Cartoon Keyboard Theme
  • Translation Assistant
  • Torrent
  • Torch VPN Proxy
  • Touch VPN Master
  • Traffic Tour 3D
  • Photazo – PIP & Cartoon Effect
  • MotoM3X-PoolParty
  • Tuber VPN Proxy
  • Tubo VPN Master
  • Secure Turbo
  • Turbo Net
  • Unlimited Net
  • VPN Lite – Fast & Easy use VPN
  • Vender Add Text on Photo
  • Video Editor 2021
  • Virgo VPN
  • Viva VPN Booster
  • Vivid Cooleditor
  • Voice Changer
  • Private VPN HD
  • 4K Wallpaper
  • Keep Step
  • Pista – Cartoon Photo Effect
  • Magical Daily Astrology Reader
  • Brilliant Photo
  • FancyPhoto
  • PixEditor
  • Piestra – Comic & Blend Effect
  • Smart PDF Reader and Editor
  • Female Fitness
  • Workout Pro
  • Toolkit
  • Xcar Highway Race
  • Xeva Photo Cartoon
  • GIFs-Search Animated GIF & Stickers
  • 2021 MagicCamPlus
  • Enjoy Art Photo
  • Xona Relaxing Sounds
  • MAGIC PHOTO PUZZLE
  • Cartoon Effects Photo Editor
  • Photo Editor Wall
  • Y VPN Master
  • ZooMate VPN Proxy
  • Vilatouch crash game
  • Vilatouch crash car
  • Online Shooter FPS
  • Free Music Downloader & Music Player
  • Crash Racing Game
  • Beauty Camera Filter
  • Action Flame FPS
  • Drift Sprint Racing Game
  • CityRanger Racing Game
  • Thefun Camera
  • Desert Hunting Game
  • Try to spin
  • Lunar Zodiac Horoscope
  • Callshow Flash
  • Grape Media Player
  • Tean Music Player
  • Male Fitness 2020
  • 2022 Ultra Camera
  • Code Name-Vulture FPS OL
  • Kangaroo Fast VPN
  • Muses Music Player
  • Red Camera
  • Snap: HD Photo Editor
  • Lightning Drift Racing
  • One-Sweet Camera
  • Baby Camera
  • BatterySafe
  • Crash Race Master
  • Donfan Music Player
  • Mulu Music Player
  • Musae Music Player
  • Night Hunter Game
  • Teana Music Player
  • Goat Safe VPN
  • SnapBeauty Cam Filter
  • Mostfun Media Music
  • OseaCamera
  • Pomelo Music Player
  • Sealod Music Player
  • SeaShell Music Player
  • ProFlash
  • Kite camera
  • Apex Crash Race
  • Impostor Master Solo Kill 2021
  • Instant Drag Speed Racing
  • Extreme Speed Race
  • NoneCanDie
  • City Crash Racing Game
  • Callpaper Show
  • Sunday Media Player
  • Flame Shock FPS
  • Modern Time Camera
  • Rainbow Square- Sort Puzzle
  • Tea Bag Camera

 

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