Social media platforms are now the primary source of entertainment, news, and connection with friends and family. Currently, there are 4.74 billion users around the globe, and they are expected to keep growing as almost 190 million new users join every year. Unfortunately, the extensive use of social media has opened a gateway for cyber scams and attacks.
56% of cybersecurity breaches and over 95,000 people lose money due to frauds carried out through social media forums. To acquire protection against these threats, you need to learn how social media can be harmful and how the attack surface analysis can eliminate the risk of cybersecurity issues.
The Downside of Oversharing
The majority of social media users utilize digital platforms to share details of their personal life. Unfortunately, most users end up oversharing primarily caused of anxiety, addiction, and a desire for attention. This leads to a number of issues, including shaming, cyberbullying, identity theft, and data theft.
Excessive sharing of personal information enables malicious actions to learn about the user’s hobbies, favorite places to visit, family members, and more. Some people even share their current location, making them easier to locate. Cybercriminals can process and store this information to launch malicious attacks. For example, if you post your job title and phone number on LinkedIn, attackers can send a malicious link to your device that can corrupt your data or provide unauthorized access.
This is why multiple organizations caution users to refrain from posting images of their travel details and bank account information.
Taking a proactive approach to digital protection can play an influential role in your online safety. So, avoid sharing critical information on your social platforms, such as location, phone number, address, or bank details.
LinkedIn Phishing
LinkedIn phishing is directed toward high-profile companies and their employees. Cybercriminals target a specific organization and gain access to its employee list through LinkedIn. They pick out one employee and check their hobbies and interest by following them on social media.
The selected employee receives a spear-phishing email to entice them to click on the link. Once the employee opens the malware-containing link, it infects the company’s network or provides attackers an opening to enter and steal sensitive information.
Therefore, organizations must identify the threat surface and the number of possible entry points or vulnerabilities used for unauthorized access. They must then mitigate the threat surface with an attack surface analysis. It is a cybersecurity strategy that constantly monitors an organization’s digital assets and eliminates weak points in IT infrastructure.
Moreover, employees should be given cybersecurity training to avoid cyber scams. This training can further inform them of the steps to take if the system’s security is breached. As a result, attackers cannot harm the organization even after targeting a particular worker.
Identity Theft
Identity theft is a fraudulent activity in which cybercriminals steal your information (identification number and bank details) to conduct unauthorized transactions and illegal activities using your name. This cybercrime can tarnish your reputation while damaging your credit and finances.
However, social media identity theft is different from common identity theft. A person uses your picture, name, and information to create a fake account. This account is used for malicious reasons, such as scamming people for money, posting hurtful comments on other user’s posts, or posting harmful content to create chaos.
If you find out someone is impersonating you on social media, contact the social media platform you are using. You can submit a request to remove the fake account. Additionally, it is best to encourage your friends to report the account to get it deleted quickly. At last, update your privacy to ensure only friends or close friends can see your personal information and pictures.
Formjacking
Formjacking is an attack used by cybercriminals to inject malicious JavaScript code into your website. This e-skimming attack is first launched on a legitimate website (mostly e-commerce sites) to take total control over its functionality to collect its users’ sensitive data. The ad of a form-jacked website is later uploaded on social media to lure users.
Once you click on the form-jacked website link and insert credit card details to finalize the purchase on the e-commerce store, the malicious JavaScript code will collect your information. It will also obtain your address, phone number, and other details. After information collection, the malicious code will forward the details to the hacker, who will use it for financial gain.
To protect yourself, only buy from legitimate websites. You should also check the website URL to ensure it is real because some hackers duplicate the layout of a legit website to trick people. However, if you are form-jacked, call your bank immediately and ask them to cancel your affected debit/credit card. Monitor the rest of your bank statements to ensure other accounts are not affected.
Account Takeovers
Account takeovers (ATO) is a cyberattack that allows hackers to take ownership of your accounts using a stolen password and username. This information is obtained through the dark web. ATO attacks are primarily made to conduct social engineering attacks, data breaches, and phishing attacks.
When cybercriminals control your social media account, they retrieve travel, financial, and personal details. Therefore, you should use dual or multi-factor authentication to prevent account takeover. You can also use firewalls and an account tracking system that suspends your account if unusual activity is detected.
Secure The Growing Digital Attack Surface
The attack surface is a collection of potential entry points for a cyber-attacker. These points can be exploited to gain unauthorized access and retrieve data from a system and its environment. Due to the high use of social media and metaverse, attack surfaces are overgrowing. This is because each new infrastructure has its vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can abuse.
Implementing attack surface analysis is the best way to defend yourself against this growing threat. It maps the entire surface of your social media profile parameters and identifies all attack vectors. The approach continuously scans and monitors the weak points to stop future cyberattacks from causing damage.
CXI Solutions Protects Your Business against Cybercrimes
Excessive use of social media platforms puts you at risk of multiple cyber scams, threats, and attacks. When you share your information online, cybercriminals can use it to send malicious attacks on your system. You can also become a victim of LinkedIn phishing, putting your company’s IT infrastructure at risk.
Even if you protect yourself from these threats, you can become subject to identity theft, form jacking, and account takeovers. Therefore, contact CXI Solutions to identify your threat surface and gain a full protective cybersecurity system that monitors and mitigates all cyber threats. With complete cybersecurity protection, you can use your social media accounts without the threat of financial and reputation damage.
