Cyber Security

Phishing attacks are evolving rapidly. One of the latest variants of this cyber threat is angler phishing. This attack mainly targets social media users and lures them to reveal their personal information.

In this era of social media, it’s important to understand angler attacks and take caution so that you won’t fall victim.

Ahead, we’ll find out what angler phishing is, its main targets, its effectiveness, and how to avoid it. Ready to learn more? Read on!

What is Angler Phishing?

Angler phishing refers to a new kind of phishing attack that especially targets social media users. The angler phishers are typically disguised as customer service representatives of a particular social media platform to which the victim has complained.

One of the common examples of this attack is the X or Twitter banking scams.

Eventually, the ‘baited’ user will reveal their personal information to the attackers.

How Does Angler Phishing Work?

You can find angler phishing attacks on almost all social media accounts, especially the ones where users can easily direct their complaints, such as Instagram, Facebook, X, or Twitter.

It starts with an attacker creating fake accounts specifically for fraud purposes. They pretend to be customer service representatives working for a specific company, usually a financial institution or other platform, with a convincing username.

After creating an account, they start looking for prey on social media. When they find someone voicing complaints on social media, such as in a Tweet, they reply or DM the user.

When users believe the scam, they will interact with the attacker and eventually give their personal information through link clicks or password reveal.

Who is Targeted During an Angler Phishing Attack?

The main target of the angler phishing attack is disgruntled social media users who publicly voice their complaints on their accounts. These users are prime targets because they mostly want to get their issues fixed quickly and may consider a convincing fake company’s official account to handle the issue immediately.

How Effective is the Attack?

This attack can be very effective if the attackers throw an angler phishing trap of convincing responses to many user complaints. This is especially effective when the real company customer support doesn’t respond promptly, leaving users hanging with unfixed issues.

The situation put the user in a vulnerable position to an angler phishing trap—this is where the attackers take advantage. Usually, it leads to identity theft.

How to Avoid Angler Phishing

To avoid falling victim to this phishing attack, check out our tips below!

Verify the Company Account

Always double-check the company account before you respond to someone contacting you regarding your complaint. Usually, a real company account has a verification badge on its profile.

Conversely, fake company accounts typically have a weird username with numbers or typos in the username.

Tag Specific Support Accounts

Instead of making a general complaint, tag the company support account specifically when complaining on Instagram, Facebook, or X to direct your message to the real one.

On X, there is a feature where you can set your tweet to only be replied to by the account you mentioned, minimizing spammy fake accounts.

Contact the Company on Other Channels if You’re in Doubt

Before you reply to a ‘company’ response, stop and think first. Is it really their official channel? If you’re still in doubt, contact the company directly via other social media platforms or official channels like email or phone.

By crosschecking, you’ll minimize the chance of getting scammed. 

Avoid Clicking Links

One of the most common ways for attackers to launch their phishing attacks is through malicious links. Thus, never click a link from unverified sources, especially if they claim to be a ‘real’ account.

Again, if you’re in doubt, you can always use the free online link checker tool.

Report Fake Accounts to the Authorities

If you stumble upon a fake social media account, report it immediately using the ‘Report’ feature on the social media platform. This way, you’ll also help other users avoid falling victim to those fake accounts.

Don’t Stop Contacting Proper Channels on Social Media

Instead of just stopping to contact your service provider’s official social media channel, it is better to raise the issue while still mentioning the official channel.

Again, it doesn’t only help other users who experience similar issues but also pressures the said service provider to take immediate action about your issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Angler phishing attacks are one of the newest phishing attacks involving social media users and their vulnerability.

These attackers, with their fake accounts, pretend to be official customer representatives who offer immediate actions to fix users’ issues when, in fact, they lure them into clicking malicious links or revealing personal details. 

While it’s important to be aware of this attack, it is also vital to safeguard your data. Our cybersecurity experts at Fluxgate can help you protect your data. Contact us now!