An analysis by antivirus software provider Bitdefender, has revealed the top 10 Facebook baits of the past 12 months with “guess who viewed your profile” scams keeping a steady first place, comprising almost one third of the total.

After tricking tens of thousands of victims last year and outclassing ‘profile stalkers’, the ‘free Disney tickets’ scam was excluded from this year’s list while “change your Facebook color” schemes now circulate internationally and claim 7.38 per cent of the total number of scams.

Rihanna continues to be the most tempting celebrity used as a “hook” for malware delivery via social media as Taylor Swift leaves the scam parade.

Catalin Cosoi, Chief Security Strategist at Bitdefender says despite all security warnings, users still want to see who has been taking a look at their profile because they believe these are legitimate apps, “this is social engineering at its finest – a challenging mental game that pushes the right psychological buttons. While the bait changes over time (stalkers, admirers, overly-attached girlfriends and exes), the reason this scam works is simple: human nature.”

Novelties in the top ten most successful scams lure users with free Facebook T-shirts (4.21 per cent). Fans aspiring for branded clothes end up filling out fraudulent surveys or installing malicious add-ons that mine their sensitive data. Other newcomers include scams that lure users with unsealed giveaways (2.41 per cent).

The past couple of years have seen a proliferation of Facebook scams to match the growth of the social platform. Below is a list of the ten most widespread Facebook scams:

 

 

1. Total profile views/visitors (Check out now who viewed your profile) - 30.20% (US/UK, Australia)
2. Change your Facebook Colour - 7.38% (US/UK, Australia)
3. Rihanna sex tape with her boyfriend - 4.76% (US/UK, Australia)
4. Check my status update to get free Facebook T-shirt from Facebook - 4.21% (US/UK, Australia)
5. Say goodbye to Blue Facebook - 2.76% (France)
6. Unsealed. We are giving them away for free - 2.41% (US/UK, Australia)
7. Check if a friend has deleted you - 2.27% (US/UK, Australia)
8. See your top 10 profile peekers here! You will be shocked to find out your ex is still creeping on your profile! - 1.74% (US/UK, Australia)
9. Find out how to see who viewed your profile - 1.55% (Spanish-speaking countries)
10. “I just changed my Facebook theme. It’s amazing” - 1.50% (US/UK, Australia)