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If you’re a Facebook user, it’s important to keep abreast of the latest scams that targeting the service.

The most harmful scams attempt to steal login details, but many try to trick users into completing short ‘security’ checks before they can access an enticing Facebook application.

These surveys checks may seem harmless, but not only do scammers earn money by conning people into completing them, but giving such applications permission to access a profile also allows them to spam a profile’s friends with the same enticing application — and so the scam spreads.

As with all scams, if an offer sounds to good to be true, then it almost certainly is and any Facebook friend requests to use applications that promise exciting new features (being able to see who’s viewed your profile is a classic scam) should be viewed with extreme suspicion.

Security specialist Sophos has long been on the case when it comes to Facebook scams (not to mention all kinds of other computer security problems) and it recently posted a video on its blog that shows how to purge a profile of scam applications.

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Sophos also has a Facebook presence of its own and becoming a fan of its Facebook page will help keep you informed about the latest social network scams — and how to avoid them. And while you’re at it, you can also join the Practical Caravan Facebook page…

[Sophos]