If a user successfully bypassed the surveys and downloaded the file, they were usually presented with an executable file (e.g., setup.exe or fb_hacker_v11.44.exe ). Upon running the program, one of two things happened:
Looking back over a decade later, this specific piece of software serves as a perfect time capsule for an era of internet history characterized by naive users, rampant malware, and the rise of "script kiddie" culture. fb facebook hacker 2011 v11.44
To steal the user’s own Facebook, email, and banking credentials. If a user successfully bypassed the surveys and
Version 11.44
The specific version numbering (v11.44) was a common tactic used by developers of grey-hat and black-hat tools to imply constant maintenance and bypass signature-based antivirus detection. By releasing "updates" frequently, the creators could stay one step ahead of security software that had flagged previous versions as malicious. 3. The Shift in Cybersecurity Version 11
Advertisements and YouTube tutorial videos typically claimed that the software could bypass Facebook's security protocols simply by entering a target's profile URL. Users were told that the tool utilized a "backdoor exploit" to extract passwords in plain text. How the Scam Worked
Some iterations of the tool required the user to input their own Facebook login details first, claiming it was necessary to "authenticate with the server" or "create a tunnel." This was a straightforward phishing tactic; the inputted credentials were sent straight to the scammers, who would then hijack the user's account to spread more links to the fake software. Why Did It Spread So Virally?