A number of Facebook users have heard rumours that the Facebook “A Look Back” video feature is somehow malicious. The rumours have caused concern and confusion among users.
However, the Facebook A Look Back feature is perfectly legitimate and Facebookers should not fear using it if they wish. An entry about the feature in the Facebook help files explains:
A Look Back is an experience that compiles your highlights since joining Facebook. Depending on how long you’ve been on Facebook and how much you’ve shared, you’ll see a movie, a collection of photos or a thank you card.You can easily see your A Look Back video by following the URL below while logged into your Facebook account:
https://www.facebook.com/lookback
While the feature is perfectly safe, Facebook users should nevertheless watch out for scam messages that attempt to capitalize on it. There have been reports of a scam campaign in which users are tricked into going to a bogus page and installing malware disguised as the A Look Back video.
Do not click on any links or open any attachments that claim that you must download software or install an app to see your A Look Back video. Do not be tricked into going to a third party website with the promise of viewing or editing your video.
To avoid any potential security threats, ensure that you go to the legitimate website to view your video.
Importance Notice
After considerable thought and with an ache in my heart, I have decided that the time has come to close down the Hoax-Slayer website.These days, the site does not generate enough revenue to cover expenses, and I do not have the financial resources to sustain it going forward.
Moreover, I now work long hours in a full-time and physically taxing job, so maintaining and managing the website and publishing new material has become difficult for me.
And finally, after 18 years of writing about scams and hoaxes, I feel that it is time for me to take my fingers off the keyboard and focus on other projects and pastimes.
When I first started Hoax-Slayer, I never dreamed that I would still be working on the project all these years later or that it would become such an important part of my life. It's been a fantastic and engaging experience and one that I will always treasure.
I hope that my work over the years has helped to make the Internet a little safer and thwarted the activities of at least a few scammers and malicious pranksters.
A Big Thank You
I would also like to thank all of those wonderful people who have supported the project by sharing information from the site, contributing examples of scams and hoaxes, offering suggestions, donating funds, or helping behind the scenes.I would especially like to thank David White for his tireless contribution to the Hoax-Slayer Facebook Page over many years. David's support has been invaluable, and I can not thank him enough.
Closing Date
Hoax-Slayer will still be around for a few weeks while I wind things down. The site will go offline on May 31, 2021. While I will not be publishing any new posts, you can still access existing material on the site until the date of closure.Thank you, one and all!
Brett Christensen,
Hoax-Slayer
