What Is Wall Spamming on Facebook?

With approximately half of Facebook's 750 million active users online every single day, problematic wall posts like viruses and scams are almost inevitable. Facebook provides notification options on your wall to report problem posts. Understanding what qualifies as spam is the first step to using the report features properly and reducing the frequency of spam by the users you report.

Explanation

Wall spam on Facebook refers to any wall post that tries to solicit money or business or sends you to a masked URL that installs spyware or a virus on your computer. Spam posts are designed to draw unsuspecting Facebook users into the problematic sites that automatically install tracking on your browser or viruses on your computer, putting your online safety at risk.

Identification

If your friend posts a link or a video on your wall that seems out of character, or one that contains an emphatic or unrealistic comment, do not click the link or play the video until you check with your friend to see if he posted it on your wall. If it seems out of place, it may be.

Reporting

Click the "X" that appears when you hover your cursor over the problematic post. Choose the "Report/Block" option to report the post for spam. Click "Undo Report" if you click the report option incorrectly. Facebook reviews reported posts and removes those that are verified as spam.

Considerations

Some spam posts are not intentional on the part of the poster. Many spam posts now include links and videos that entice the reader to click. When the link is opened, a virus installs in the background and the post is then replicated to the users on your Friends list without your consent or knowledge.

References

• CNET; Facebook Appears to be Controlling Wall Spam; Caroline McCarthy; August 2008
• Facebook: Statistics