6 Ways to Combat Social Phishing Attacks

WELCOME TO SOLUTIONS SQUAD!

We understand that your focus is to drive business growth and stay ahead of the competition. That’s why our Expertly Managed IT services are curated to streamline your operations, help secure your business, and ensure your technology scales with your ambition. We bring a proactive approach to IT management, offering tailored solutions that keep you connected and protected. With services ranging from real-time monitoring to cutting-edge cybersecurity and disaster recovery planning, we’re here to empower your strategic decisions with our Virtual CIO and co-managed IT support. We stand by a security-first ethos, reinforced by our dedicated helpdesk, ensuring clear assistance in plain English, anytime you need it. We are your partner in building a resilient, efficient, and innovative IT infrastructure, freeing you to focus on what you do best: running your business.

Empower Your Business with Expert IT Support

Unlock efficiency and secure your digital assets with our Expertly Managed IT services—where peace of mind meets innovation.

Phishing is the number one method of attack delivery for everything from ransomware to credential theft. We are very aware of it coming by email, but other types of phishing have been growing rapidly.

In recent years, phishing over social media has skyrocketed by 500%. There has also been a 100% increase in fraudulent social media accounts.

Phishing over social media often tricks the victims because people tend to let their guard down when on social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. They’re socializing and not looking for phishing scams.

However, phishing scammers are out there looking for you and will reach out via friend requests and direct messages. Learn several ways you can secure your social media use to avoid these types of covert attacks.

Make Your Profile Private on Social Platforms

Phishing scammers love public profiles on social media because not only can they gather intel on you to strike up a conversation, but they can also clone your profile and put up a fake page for phishing your connections.

Criminals do this in order to try to connect with those on your friends or connections list to send social phishing links that those targets will be more likely to click because they believe it’s from someone they know.

You can limit your risk by going into your profile and making it private to your connections only. This means that only someone that you’ve connected with can see your posts and images, not the general public.

For sites like LinkedIn where many people network for business, you might still want to keep your profile public, but you can follow the other tips below to reduce your risk.

Hide Your Contacts/Friends List

You can keep social phishing scammers from trying to use your social media profile to get to your connections by hiding your friends or connections list. Platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook both give you this privacy option. 

Just be aware that this does not keep scammers from seeing you as a friend or connection on someone else’s profile unless they too have hidden their friends list.

Be Wary of Links Sent via Direct Message & in Posts

Links are the preferred way to deliver phishing attacks, especially over social media. Links in social posts are often shortened, making it difficult for someone to know where they are being directed until they get there. This makes it even more dangerous to click links you see on a social media platform.

A scammer might chat you up on LinkedIn to inquire about your business offerings and give you a link that they say is to their website. Unless you know the source to be legitimate, do not click links sent via direct message or in social media posts. They could be leading to a phishing site that does a drive-by download of malware onto your device.

Even if one of your connections shares a link, be sure to research where it is coming from. People often share posts in their own feeds because they like a meme or picture on the post, but they never take the time to check whether the source can be trusted.

Don’t Participate in Social Media Surveys or Quizzes

While it may be fun to know what Marvel superhero or Disney princess you are, stay away from quizzes on social media. They’re often designed as a ploy to gather data on you. Data that could be used for targeted phishing attacks or identity theft.

The Cambridge Analytica scandal that impacted the personal data of millions of Facebook users did not happen all that long ago. It was found that the company was using surveys and quizzes to collect information on users without their consent.

While this case was high-profile, they’re by no means the only ones that play loose and fast with user data and take advantage of social media to gather as much as they can.

It’s best to avoid any types of surveys or quizzes on any social media platform because once your personal data is out there, there is no getting it back.

Avoid Purchasing Directly from Ads on Facebook or Instagram

Many companies advertise on social media legitimately, but unfortunately, many scammers use the platforms as well for credit card fraud and identity theft.

If you see something that catches your eye in a Facebook or Instagram ad, go to the advertiser’s website directly to check it out, do not click through the social ad.

Research Before You Accept a Friend Request

It can be exciting to get a connection request on a social media platform. It could mean a new business connection or connecting with someone from your Alma mater. But this is another way that phishing scammers will look to take advantage of you. They’ll try to connect to you which can be a first step before reaching out direct via DM.

Do not connect with friend requests without first checking out the person on the site and online using a search engine. If you see that their timeline only has pictures of themself and no posts, that’s a big red flag that you should decline the request.

Can Your Devices Handle a Phishing Link or File?

It’s important to safeguard your devices with things like DNS filtering, managed antivirus, email filtering, and more. This will help protect you if you happen to click on a phishing link.

Find out how we can help!


Featured Image Credit

This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

Don’t miss out on all the benefits – subscribe now and take your business to the next level!

  • Get exclusive access to expert insights and tips for leveraging technology to grow your business.
  • Stay up to date on the latest tech trends and advancements that can help you stay ahead of the competition.
  • Join a network of business leaders who are committed to using technology to drive success and innovation.
  • Receive personalized support and guidance from our team of IT experts.
  • Enjoy a more streamlined and secure digital experience with our insider tips and tricks.
Free mail phishing scam vector

6 Simple Steps to Enhance Your Email Security

Email is a fundamental communication tool for businesses and individuals alike. But it’s also a prime target for cybercriminals. Cyberattacks are increasing in sophistication. This means enhancing your email security has never been more critical.Ninety-five percent of IT leaders say…
reliable small business tech support services in north miami beach 640x640

Small Business Tech Support Services in North Miami Beach

In North Miami Beach, businesses are increasingly relying on technology to drive their success, making dependable small business tech support services more crucial than ever. Whether you’re managing a startup or running an established small business, having reliable tech support…
Free couple calculating al their bills stock photo

8 Strategies for Tackling “Technical Debt” at Your Company

Did your company’s software system once seem sleek and nimble? But now it resembles a tangled web of shortcuts, patches, and workarounds. Welcome to the realm of technical debt. It’s a silent saboteur that accumulates over time, threatening your efficiency.What…
comprehensive network security services for hollywood businesses 640x640

Network Security in Hollywood, Florida

In Hollywood, Florida, businesses are thriving, but with growth comes the need for robust network security. Whether you’re managing a small business or overseeing a larger enterprise, ensuring that your network is secure is crucial to protecting sensitive data and…
Free laptop on table top stock photo

Enhancing Employee Performance with a Mobile-Optimized Workspace

In the whirlwind of today’s business landscape, adaptability reigns supreme. Today’s workspaces transcend physical boundaries. Employees work and collaborate seamlessly from anywhere. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a local café or lounging on their living room couch. That’s the magic…
top it service provider near you in pembroke pines florida

IT Service Near Pembroke Pines, Florida

In Pembroke Pines, Florida, businesses thrive on the support of reliable IT services near me. Whether you’re running a small business or managing a larger enterprise, having dependable IT services close at hand is essential for maintaining smooth operations and…