A “Dislike” button is the latest in a string of fraud scams circulating on the social networking site. It purports to offer users a way to express their aversion to links, videos and other annoying content posted by friends on Facebook, as an alternative to giving a thumbs up with Facebook’s “Like” button. To get it, they supposedly have to fill out a survey – at which point they unwittingly agree to recurring cellphone charges.

According to a blog post by security software maker “Sophos”, tens of thousands of people have clicked on links leading to the scam, perhaps because many Facebook users have clamored for a dislike button.

The hook comes in a status update from a friend reading “I just got the Dislike button, so now I can dislike all of your dumb posts lol!!” or “Get the official DISLIKE button NOW!”, which includes a link to a rogue Facebook application. If you install the app – which involves handing the fraudsters permission to access your public information, post to your wall and retrieve your data at any time they like – it automatically posts a status update from you in the hopes of ensnaring your Facebook friends, too.

MORE >>>> http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/facebook-dislike-button-is-a-scam/?src=busln