Are you a victim of spam like these?

Every day, I see an alarmingly increasing number of people whose Facebook accounts are being controlled and used by spam bots through malicious applications. Are you one of them?

This easily-preventable issue of application spam is worryingly being ignored by victims and would-be victims. In this simple 5-step tutorial, I’ll show you how to block and remove Facebook applications that are bothering you.


(FYI: captions are actually above the relevant images)

Before all that, you’ll need to actually make sure that it’s a Facebook application that is taking control of your account. If you are 154% certain, then click on “Account” > “Application settings”.

Once you’re in the Application Settings page, click on the drop-down menu and choose to show “Allowed to post”. This brings up a list of applications that you have allowed, or may have accidentally allowed, to post on your behalf.

Check for any unfamiliar application names. Hit on “Edit settings” beside the application.

Then, click on the “Additional Permissions” tab to see a list of permissions that the application is allowed. Uncheck as necessary.

Once you’re done throughout the entire list of applications, head over to the top and choose to show “Granted additional permissions”.

This page may intimidate you at first glance. However, take your time to scroll through the list of applications thoroughly. The applications are sorted under permission groups, such as being allowed to post status updates or upload photos. Click on the “X” beside the unwanted applications under each group to remove them.

If you would like to help the Facebook community to rid such applications, navigate to the application page and click on “Report Application”.

Alternate method:

Navigate to your privacy settings page and click on “Edit your settings” under “Applications and Websites” at the bottom. Then, click on “Remove unwanted applications”. Select and click on “Remove”.

Additional information:

Facebook Help: What settings can I control related to my applications?
Facebook Help: What do the Additional Permissions for applications mean?
Facebook Blog: Application Spam