Cyber Security

Social media phishing is quickly becoming a new frontier in cybercrime. The tactics keep evolving, from fake job offers to malicious phishing links. Users must stay vigilant to safeguard their sensitive information. 

How exactly do social media phishing work, and how can you protect yourself?

Explore the details of this escalating cyber risk and learn strategies to recognize and avoid scams on popular social media platforms.

What is Social Media Phishing?

Social media phishing refers to any phishing scam that happens on social media platforms, like Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn. 

In late 2023, OpSec Security data reported that 42.8% of all phishing attacks targeted social media, up from 18.9% in the previous quarter. This sharp rise emphasizes awareness of phishing threats to protect your personal information.

Most of the time, attackers launch this attack to gain users’ personal information and get control of the hacked accounts. Further, they can escalate the attack to target your friends, colleagues, or even family members.

How Does Social Media Phishing Work?

Social media phishing often begins with a scammer using social engineering tactics to gain a user’s trust.

Attackers craft convincing profiles or fake posts that seem credible, targeting users who may unknowingly interact with the content.

Once users engage, attackers manipulate them into sharing sensitive information.

For example, attackers send phishing messages that look like they’re from official LinkedIn support, asking users to “confirm” their account information.

Users who click the link are taken to fake login pages that steal their credentials.

Common Social Media Phishing Tactics

These attacks can happen across platforms with diverse tactics. Here are the most common cases found online.

Fake Job Offers

This is a popular phishing tactic, especially on platforms like LinkedIn. Scammers create job postings or reach out with tempting offers that appear to be from reputable companies.

These fake job listings often require applicants to submit personal information or click on links to “apply.”

Attackers aim to collect and steal information or ask for money for nonexistent training tools or other schemes.

Fake Profiles

Attackers create convincing but fraudulent accounts to pose as trusted individuals or organizations, like company representatives or customer service agents.

For instance, in an angler phishing scheme, a scammer might pose as a bank’s customer service account on X/Twitter. They respond to frustrated customers and ask them to “verify” their account details.

This way, attackers gain access to sensitive information by exploiting users’ trust in what appears to be legitimate support.

Fake Alerts and Urgent Messages

Attackers send messages claiming there’s a problem with your account, like a security breach and demand immediate action.

These are designed to create panic and pressure you into acting fast.

For instance, on Instagram, you might get a message saying your account will be disabled unless you confirm your login details. It includes a link to a fake login page where attackers steal your data.

Brand Ambassador Scams

This exploits the rise of social media influencers, targeting users with the promise of becoming brand representatives.

Scammers reach out, often on social media accounts like Instagram, offering “partnerships” that seem appealing to influencers or those aspiring to become one.

For example, a user might receive a direct message from a fake account posing as a famous skincare brand.

The message promises free products or payment in exchange for promotion but requires an “application fee” or personal information upfront.

Believing this is a genuine opportunity, users may send payment or share sensitive details, only to realize the offer was a phishing attempt.

Quizzes and Games

Often, quizzes ask users seemingly harmless personal questions, which turn out to be revealing important information that helps attackers guess passwords or bypass security questions.

Some quizzes, for example, may ask for details related to common password recovery questions, such as birthplaces or pet names.

Additionally, certain games require users to enter personal data or grant app permissions. Unknowingly, users give attackers access to their login credentials or financial information.

On top of that, fraudulent messages promoting these quizzes often contain hidden malware or redirect users to fake URLs.

Malicious Links in Posts and Comments

Phishing scammers often post fake-legitimate links, enticing users to click by creating a major sense of urgency or offering something that seems too good to be true.

For example, users may encounter comments on a Facebook post claiming they’ve won a prize, instructing them to click on a link and provide sensitive information.

Later, this tactic turned out to be an identity theft technique.

Phishing via Direct Messages

Phishing via direct messages is a sneaky tactic where scammers use private messages to trick people into giving away their info.

On platforms like Instagram, these cybercriminals often pretend to be a real organization’s representative, like customer support.

Cases like a hacked friend’s account reaching out to you can also happen. For example, you might get a message from your ‘friend’ saying, “Yo, check out this stunning pic of yours [link].” The link usually directs to a phishing page.

How Not to Become a Victim of Social Media Phishing

Want to use social media safely? Here are best practices to avoid becoming the victim of these attacks:

• Always check the sender’s information before clicking links or sharing details. Phishers often impersonate legitimate businesses, so look for unusual grammar or unfamiliar email addresses.
• If a message asks for personal information or login credentials, think twice. Real organizations won’t ask you to provide sensitive information through links or attachments in text messages or emails.
• Enable spam filters to help identify phishing attempts and block suspicious emails or messages that may contain malware.
• Double-check URLs in phishing emails before entering any personal data.
• Scammers often create a sense of urgency to trick people into acting quickly. Take a moment to verify the source before providing sensitive data.
• Protect yourself by installing software that can detect and block malware and other threats targeting your digital identity.
• Add a layer of security by using two-factor authentication, which makes it more difficult for hackers to access your accounts, even if they have your password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

To wrap it up, social media phishing is a growing threat to your personal and financial security. Cybercriminals are getting more advanced, so it’s crucial to understand and recognize these scams.

Feeling overwhelmed by the risks? You’re not alone. Partnering with a cybersecurity agency is a smart move. They can provide expert guidance to help protect your accounts and personal information.

For trusted advice and assistance, reach out to Fluxgate. Our team of experts is here to help you avoid social media phishing.