It goes without saying that Facebook has become one of the most successful websites on the Internet. With more than 550 million users Facebook has become a sensation over the past few years and Facebook founders are not the only ones benefiting from that number.

Spammers have begun to take advantage of the enormous user pool, compromising the network security and data protection of those just trying to stay in touch with friends and family.

According to The Montreal Gazette fighting these spammers is a top priority of Facebook and they are working diligently to protect every user. And while this protection is being put in place it cannot satisfy the curiosity that users get when they see a friend has “liked” a video or when they see the opportunity to win a brand new iPad.

What happens when the users click on these fake links is malware is unknowingly downloaded on their computer that will then spread to their friends. Spammers are also utilizing phishing by sending fake messages to users to redirect them to external sites or causing users to flood the inboxes of their Facebook friends upon opening the message.And the consequences do not stop with pestering your friends and being directed away from Facebook. If you are directed to any application that asks you to submit your phone number you could end up seeing unfamiliar charges on your cell phone bill.

And while the Facebook team is working hard to stop these spammers the greatest power against them is the knowledge of the users. If users are able to identify what is spam and what is real it could help protect against future spam. Another preventative measure would be to warn your Facebook friends when you see something out of the ordinary on their page.

So next time you receive a message from someone you don’t know or a friend “likes” a suspicious link avoid clicking on it until you’re sure that it is genuine to protect yourself.