Recently, a crazy facebook application called “Take This Lollipop” was launched as a halloween project. The app looks pretty cool and it’s so easy not to fall victim . According to mashable and some other news sources, over 10 million people got shit scared after taking this lollipop; a lot of them have uploaded youtube responses.

The app went viral in a very short time and received over 10 million likes. Does this mean 10 million victims?? hah first watch the video below that I have recorded. It shows what exactly happens when you take a lollipop from a stranger.

You can try this out using your own account: www.takethislollipop.com. The site and the app was created for fun and according to them, they don’t store your information and will never use your account to post anything. These are the good guys who were trying to show how easy it is to fall victim. I think this is an awesome project which will alert people but I hope they take action.

Most of you will definitely get freaked out. But the point is, are the mass facebook users noob? Or just plain ignorant? I don’t mean any offence but if you realize, it is so easy to give out your personal information to a stranger on facebook. Most people are not even aware of it and later complain that their privacy was breached.

When I hear people including some of my friends saying that their facebook account got hacked; I just wish they knew that most of the time, they are the ones who are giving away the personal information. If you are not aware of scammy applications, then learn and be alert. It is so easy to connect with facebook with a click of a button but when you do, first do a research and find out if the company or the application is legit and what are they are storing and accessing from your account.

Lets give an example; take this lollipop asks you to connect in order to reveal the content. Most people wouldn’t mind just clicking and connecting but when you do, see what they ask for. In this case, when you click on the razor, they will ask you to connect and then before you click “Allow” button, check out what they want to access.

Is it normal for an app to access photos, personal data including address, relationship status (you must be kidding me), news feed and all these crazy stuff? No way! Whenever an app tries to access each and all of your data, you should just avoid and stay away. This is common sense and trust me, this is the easiest way of getting access to anybody’s account.

I can create an app just like that and ask you to connect in order to get some kind of content. If I can, a lot of others can and they are doing it. We don’t know anybody’s intention. The point is, when you connect with an application, make sure it is a trusted source. I have connected to several apps like mashable, spotify, twitter etc because I know they are legit. As I said earlier, its common sense. If I see some weird looking porno type app, I definitely would remove it

Alright, now I would like to show you some quick ways to get rid of all the unwanted and spammy applications. Some of you will get freaked out when you see some random weird apps you have given access in the past. Its better you realize now and remove the bad ones just for your own good (so later you don’t whine about your account being compromised).

Quick ways to Remove Spammy Facebook Applications

1. First, go to Privacy Settings.

2. Click on “Edit settings” for the Apps and Websites.

3. Again, Click on “Edit Settings” on the apps you use.

The above screenshot is just to show you what this app “Take This Lollipop” can access. Its ridiculous right

4. Click the cross to remove the application.

Now take a closer look at this application page. In my screenshot, I have blogmasterpoint app, twitter, elite mobile and more that I use and trust. I bet you will find ton of crazy apps that you are connected to that you didn’t even know existed Make sure you remove each and every app that you find sketchy or the ones you don’t use. Thats it, this is the easiest stuff and no facebook users should ignore it.

Verdict

Last but not the least, the most important tip – Be alert and use common sense . I don’t want anyone’s accounts getting compromised. Let me know if there is any other stuff you want me to add in the facebook application privacy.