The dark side of social media: Scams and how to avoid them
Social media scams are on the rise. Stay safe online by being cautious with links, verifying authenticity, using strong passwords and other important techniques.
Kaspersky, a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997, has warned of a wave of scams using social engineering and phishing techniques on social media and messaging apps to steal credentials and distribute malware.
Here are a few scams Kapersky has warned of:
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- Fake Verification Pages: Scammers create fake pages mimicking WhatsApp and other app interfaces, asking users for their phone number and verification code to access accounts.
- Promises of Free Followers: Fraudulent pages offer free followers on platforms like Instagram, but require users to enter their login credentials, allowing scammers to take control of accounts.
- Fake Shops on TikTok: Cybercriminals create fake sites simulating TikTok Shop, aiming to steal sellers' credentials.
- Fake Security Notifications: Scammers send alerts pretending to be from Facebook and similar platforms' security teams, warning of suspicious activity and requesting credentials.
How to stay safe
- Be Cautious with Links: Don't click on suspicious links, especially those promising unbelievable offers or benefits.
- Verify Authenticity: Always verify the authenticity of senders and content before clicking.
- Be Careful What You Share: Avoid sharing personal information, such as pet names, important dates or locations, that can be used to guess passwords.
- Use Strong Passwords: Choose unique and complex passwords for each social network, combining capital letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Use Two-Factor Authentication: Activate an extra security option that many platforms offer, requiring a code sent to your phone or email to confirm your identity.
- Review Privacy Settings: Check who can see your content, tag you, or access your profile, and revoke permissions for third-party apps you no longer use.
- Use Cybersecurity Solutions: Cybersecurity Solutions warn you about suspicious links and downloads, and help you check if your phone number or email appears in any data leakage.
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