What is Facebook data breach 2022? The social media platform revealed that it had discovered over 400 fraudulent Android and iOS apps targeting internet users to steal their login information this year. According to Meta, one million people may have had their login information taken.
What should you do? How to dodge the data breach? How did Facebook data breach 2022 happen? Which apps are stealing your data? What are other Facebook data breaches till today? Keep reading…
What is Facebook data breach 2022?
According to Meta Platforms Inc., one million Facebook users may have stolen their account credentials due to security flaws with apps downloaded from Alphabet Inc. and Apple Inc.’s app stores.
On Friday, the social media platform revealed the Facebook data breach 2022. It discovered over 400 fraudulent Android and iOS apps that target internet users to steal their login information this year. Meta has contacted Apple and Google about the problem to stop customer data from being hacked further.
Apple claims that 45 of the 400 problematic apps were available on the App Store, and those apps have now been taken down. According to a report, Google uninstalled all fraudulent apps related to the Facebook data breach 2022.
According to Facebook, these hazardous apps masquerade as picture editors, mobile games, or fitness monitors.
Photo editors made up 42.6% of the malicious apps, followed by productivity tools (15.4%), phone tools (14.1%), games (11.7%), VPNs (11.7%), and lifestyle apps (4.4%) related to the Facebook data breach 2022. Interestingly, most iOS apps masqueraded as tools for managing ads for Meta and its Facebook affiliate.
“Cybercriminals know how popular these types of apps are and use these themes to trick people and steal their accounts and information. If the login information is stolen, attackers could potentially gain full access to a person’s account and do things like message their friends or access private information.”
David Agranovich, Director of Global Threat Disruption at Meta
Additionally, he provided instructions on how users can protect their accounts if they have already downloaded such programs. If you think you downloaded a harmful app and used your social media or other online credentials to log in, Agranovich advised you to remove the program from your device right away and use the steps below to secure your accounts.
Meta stated that if the login credentials were obtained, attackers “may possibly acquire full access to a person’s account and do things like message their friends or access confidential information.”
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How to dodge the Facebook data breach 2022?
- Create new, secure passwords after a reset. Never use the same password for several websites.
- Enable two-factor authentication to add an additional layer of security to your account, preferably using the Authenticator app.
- Activate log-in alerts to receive notifications whenever someone tries to access your account. Reviewing prior sessions will help you identify the devices that have access to your account.
Facebook data breach 2022: All malicious apps that Meta warns about
Both app stores have removed 402 apps, which include 355 Android apps and 47 iOS apps.
The followings are All malicious apps that Meta warns about:
- 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 OL
- Onlan 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 Pharaoh
- PIP 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 (Beware! The malicious app listed by Meta has the package name com.quality.famous.deep and developed by Pinot Noir, and it should not be mixed with the Deep Art Effects app developed by Deep Art Effects GmbH)
- 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
- 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 Suite
As we mentioned earlier, to remove the apps from their online shops, Meta has already contacted both Apple and Google and given them a thorough report of their findings. Agranovich stated that because the action did not take place on Meta systems, it would be simpler for the company to identify the problems.
The company has also contacted the potentially affected consumers to provide information on securing their data.
What a malicious apps look like?
Think twice when you want to use such applications:
- Photo editors, such as those that promise to transform you into a cartoon.
- VPNs claim to increase browsing speed or provide access to banned websites or content.
- Phone utilities like applications that promise to brighten the torch on your mobile device.
- Mobile games that make deceptive claims about their 3D graphics quality.
- Apps for healthy living, including horoscopes and fitness trackers.
- Apps for managing businesses or advertisements offering unauthorized or secret functionalities are not available in official apps for tech platforms.
Facebook data breach history
Timeline of all Facebook data breaches till today:
- Personal information for over 530 Million Facebook users was leaked in an online forum in April 2021.
- In June 2020, Facebook unintentionally provided user data to third-party developers.
- A hacker group stole 300+ million Facebook accounts’ data in December 2019.
- Data for 419 million Facebook users were discovered on an exposed server in September 2019.
- The FTC fined Facebook $5 billion and placed new privacy restrictions in July 2019.
- Facebook uploaded 1.5 million users’ email addresses without their consent in April 2019.
- 540 million Facebook user records were discovered on a public server in April 2019.
- Over 600 million Facebook passwords were kept in plaintext files discovered in March 2019.
- New York Times reported in December 2018 that Facebook shared user data without consent.
- Attackers accessed over 90 million Facebook users’ data in September 2018.
- The Facebook bug made the private posts of 14 million users public in May 2018.
- 50+ million users were affected by Cambridge Analytica Scandal in March 2018.
- A bug exposed the personal information of 6 million users in June 2013.
- Facebook’s Graph Search Rollout in January 2013 sparks privacy concerns.
- Facebook settled with the FTC over privacy complaints in November 2011.
- Facebook used a “Privacy Loophole” to share user data with advertisers found in May 2010.
- Beacon Advertising Program enabled Facebook user tracking in December 2007.
Check out the importance of cyber risk assessment
Latest data breaches
Facebook data breach 2022 just happened! Check out the other latest data breaches:
Consequences of data breaches: Equifax
On September 7, 2017, the credit reporting agency Equifax revealed that one of its computer networks had experienced a data leak that had exposed the personal data of 143 million customers, which later increased to 147 million. These records contained data on the names, addresses, birthdates, Social Security numbers, and credit card numbers of the consumers, all of which may be used for fraud and identity theft.
Take a closer look at how data breaches effects companies: Equifax Data breach settlement
Following the terms of the agreement, Equifax agreed to set up a fund to offer clients free credit monitoring, identity theft protection, and cash compensation of up to $20,000 per person harmed by the event. The business also has to cover court costs and fines from the government.
