Facebook is warning its users not to install any so-called "stalker apps."

"Don't believe any applications that claim they can show you who's viewing your profile or photo: 1) They can't, 2) We're aggressively disabling those that claim they can," Facebook posted on its official profile page.

A number of applications making this claim have popped up on the social networking site recently.

They post advertisements that, when clicked on, can cause viruses and malicious software to be installed on your computer, Facebook says.

"Stalker Check" and "Who has visited my profile" are among the apps that Facebook has removed so far.

Unlike companies like Apple, Facebook doesn't have an approval policy for third-party applications.

"Our philosophy is that having an open system anyone can participate in is generally better," Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg told Newsbeat in 2009.