Two versions of a scary message currently replicating on Facebook:
Passing this info on, I did it also, FB FRIENDS: IMPORTANT! Do this ASAP! Go to settings. Click on privacy settings. Click on block users. in the name box enter automation labs' (copy this so you can paste it individually), click on the block tab. A list of approx 20 people you dont even know will come up. Block each one individually. These people have access to your facebook account/pr.
ATTENTION FARMVILLE USERS: PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STEALING OUR COLLECTIONS AND EGGS BY USING AUTOMATION LABS. PLEASE CHECK YOUR FACEBOOK SETTINGS IMMEDIATELY. GO TO SETTINGS/PRIVACY SETTINGS/BLOCK LIST AND TYPE IN "AUTOMATION LABS". PEOPLE YOU NEVER HEARD OF WILL POP UP. THESE PEOPLE ARE COLLECTING FROM YOUR POSTINGS. I had to block 25 names.
Here's how to deal with this "crisis":
First, go to "Settings / Privacy Settings / Block List" as instructed.
Second, type in "Automation Labs" as instructed.
Third, click "Block." Now watch what happens.
As promised, a list of the names of 20-25 people you never heard of will pop up. But wait. Don't do anything yet.
Try this instead:
Close the list of names. Erase "Automation Labs" and type in "Burger King" instead. Click "Block" and watch what happens.
Try the same thing again, replacing "Burger King" with other group names, e.g. "McDonald's," "Dell Computers," "New York," "American Idol," etc.
Did you notice that in each case the names of dozens of people you don't know appeared in the Block List box?
Here's the deal. The fact that the names appeared does not mean these people have access to your Facebook account or are up to no good. It just means they're associated with the company or group name you typed in.
It's not necessary to block them. Don't waste your time.
Read more:
ALERT: Automation Labs Does Not Have Access to Your Facebook Profile - AllFacebook.com
Comments
I did the same as you suggested earlier when I first got the wrning, Funny how things start isn’t it?
Im not taking any chances though, i have children!
I really wish people would just remain calm, and investigate before panicing. And also, if so worried about being spied on, perhaps being online isn’t what one should be. Perhaps skipping technology is best for the very worried and private.
Your take on this sounds viable. But here’s my question: the version of the scare I got referenced “Automatic Block.” I went to settings > privacy > block and typed automatic block into the people box. I got three names. I then searched for “automatic block” on Facebook and came up with nothing. So the “just a group people are associated with” principle doesn’t necessarily hold up. Any additional information?
Yea… JDA your an IDIOT
JDA, you have to click on the “people” tab after your search. (otherwise it only shows groups, posts by your friends and web results)
the same people that pop up in the block section also pop up in the general search section after you click on the people tab.
I did the exact same thing as JDA and went to the people tab. There were no results under people.
People will always panic, because they’re idiots who believe whatever they’re told. It’s like this new generation believes everything they see on the internet just like older ones believed everything they saw on TV. Jesus Christ, people, learn to think for yourselves.
Why are people so rude and nasty? If someone has a question or a concern, so what? It doesn’t mean they’re idiots. I’d rather be wary and check things out (like via Snopes) than just not worry about ANYTHING.
Ok, it’s verified, I’m the dummy. Now is there anyone out there they may be able to tell me how to get my friend list to pop back up when hitting the all friends on friend list? I know I can go to all connections everytime, but i like it better by just being able to go through “all friends.”
(JDA:) The ‘automatic block’ reference is a cruel twist of the hoax whereby people start screwing with you to try to elevate your paranoia. The profile of one of those SEARCH RESULTS, (from entering [automatic block] into that fb SEARCH ENGINE) says as much in his employer info.
@Wonderin’: You missed my point. People who check into things I have no problem with. They’re not the idiots. The idiots are the ones who blindly follow and panic about stupid stuff like this facebook hoax and then spread it around like a bad cold. THOSE are the idiots I have a problem with.
yes it is true people has been on my daughters talking to her friends its true the talk to them from the im these are our kids an keep freaking messing with mine an ill find you
It’s truly a hoax. searching “automatic block” brought up a man in the united states military, automatic block unit. At first I thought it was some magical term FB uses to weed out creeps, but really, that makes absolutely no sense! My daughter’s on FB too and I protect her by using privacy settings and monitoring her otherwise. This auto block is nonsense.
Laura: don’t be stupid, your kids probably added these people they’re talking to. Kids have friends too y’know. You sound like the typical overprotective parent, afraid of their own shadow.
But if you want to “find” these people I’m more than happy to help with that. It’s one of the things I’m good at. =)
i changed my Settings>Name>Full Alternative Name to “Automation Block” to see what would happen and sure enough got hate mail within a few hours. the other party was pretty relieved when i explained what was going on, but seriously, everyone loves a witch hunt.
Haha, that isn’t a bad idea. I’m gonna do this myself ^_^
i was going to try the same thing dylan but looks like you beat me to it and confirmed what i suspected. there are a lot of moronic people out there who want to be judge, jury & executioner. i feel really sorry for those few people who appeared on the searches and will no doubt have endured hell because of what can only be described as an act of terrorism. surefire way to ruin someones life because there will always be a simpleton somewhere who believes crap like this
I’ve a better idea. Grow up and quit wasting your time on Facebook.
Paragone di A.L. con il nostro premier Silvio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ni0xOX8J7s
regardless of this being a hoax or not, like someone else said i have a daughter to look out for, and its just proven how insecure FB really is!!
No Concerned Mum, it proves nothing of the sort. It is a hoax and a false concern. How does this prove FB is “insecure”. If I told everybody you kept the front door of your house unlocked at all times and that was false, would that prove your house is insecure!?
I suppose next you meanies are gonna tell me I can’t believe everything I read on Wikipedia. Stop it, you’re scaring me! I have children. That rock music has obviously had a bad affect on you. I think we both know which of us is going to be laughing when my fortune comes in from Nigeria!!
I tried to post this on my Facebook account and it told me I couldn’t post misleading chain mail like this! Sheesh, what are THEY afraid of???
that makes sense that they blocked it in english, i’m only getting hate mail in french now. i’m getting a lot of friend requests too though.
i wish it was all fun and games, but this kind of alarmism starts wars.
i can understand were the ppl are comin from sayin about ppl over reactin and being idiots…and to be honest i was one of the ppl that did start blocking the names. but at the same time if u have kids would u not worry….i put the photos of my little girl on so family living away from me can see how she is growing..of corse i am goin to get worried wen ppl say perverts are lookin at my photos. its not so far fetched to think that ppl are really doin it. it mite all be a hoax…but i would rather not take the risk. i dont know these ppl anyway so i dont care if i block them…another point some of the names on the list commented on my friends photos..she never added them..and the comments appeared sinister..mite not be but wen a comment from a complete stranger on ur little girl says “mmmmmmm thats nice” would u not panic.
Hi,
i’ve used this link on my facebook account to help people understand the HOAX system.
Hope that is allowed.
Thanks.
If this is a fake/hoax/scare whatever, then why did the names that popped up for me were all like “Isee Youhaha” ? Does this sound like “random” people’s names?
ghislain, see post #16
I was proving a point to ‘wor lass’ that it was a keyword search that brought the names into the list, and added “automation block” as my nickname. Sure enough I then appeared in the list. I removed the nickname. Point proved.
Or so I thought… I then have received abusive messages “reporting me to the police” for hacking and being a kiddy-fiddler!
Now ordinarily I’d just shrug these off, but I have to fly through paris (yes it was mainly french people like Dylan says – post 24), and they also started contacting my friends & family sending them abusive messages too!
I’d been looking for a reason to delete my FB account for a while. Finally got it
Or just dont be a sheep and follow everyone else – SIMPLE. No problem to solve then
It’s a conspiracy! It’s all a conspiracy! This will be the last time I’ll ever go online again! I heard that hackers can hack into your soul and steal it! Your SOUL!
I don’t even know if I should post this, ’cause they might find me! Oh my God! I’m logging off – indefinitely!
your website is blocked from FB !
heya people, this is nothing 2 worry bout, that man iz a 2faced liar 2 say dat (no offence man that said all dis) BUT ALL IM TELLING U IS PLZ DONT WORRY u dont ave 2 worry its some1 lying,… OK xxx thnx 4 readding this I hope ya all undastand lol ….. soo please dnt worry !!!! xxxx speak soon please xxxx
=)
Its not Automation Lab to find it. Its Automation LOG to locate and this in not a hoax when using LOG instead of LAB. The automation log is used by Facebook for processing its news feeds and other sources on the site. Basically a back door left open for Facebook for Hackers.
So try using the automation log and you will see that it is nothing like the Automation Lab feature.
If no one is watching you and what you type in the IM at Facebook. Then why would facebook stop me from typing to my sister in an IM meant only for her and direct me to another web site to complain about the automation blocks. If they wernt watching then how in the world would they know what I’m typing to my sister. They do not have the right to interupt my conversation with my sister and block a message meant only for my sister. You are not totally informed on this matter and they are trying to brush it under the Rug. Open your eyes. Thanks Moody
If yea really want to piss them off the way I did. Try typing automtion masters….lol
OMFG! them people who came up scared me to death nd wen it sed it “block failed!” omg i was soo scared. then i read down the we page i shud hav looked down 1st omg it was sooo scary lool x
I think it is one of the stupidest deal’s on the internet. What’s wrong with e-mail? You can send all of the messages and pics all you want to. If you want to let everybody you don’t even know your business I guess you could go to times square!!!!!!
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