Social Media Scams: Impersonation Tactics

Social Media Scams

• Social media scams are common, and hackers use various tactics to reach users.
• One common scam is impersonation, where hackers pretend to be someone you know, like a friend, relative, or coworker, to trick you into accepting their friend requests.

Impersonation Scam

• Hackers duplicate a targeted user's profile using their actual photo and information.
• They then send friend requests to everyone on the targeted user's friends list.
• When friends accept the fake friend request, the hacker gains access to their profile and posts.

Phishing Attack

• Hackers send phony messages or emails with links or attachments that download malware onto devices.
• These messages often appear real, claiming to have compromising information or asking for action.

Social Engineering Attacks

• Hackers create elaborate stories to convince users to send them money.
• Common examples include romance scams, where hackers create fake identities and begin online relationships to eventually ask for money.

Romance Scams

• In 2019, over 70,000 people lost more than $1.3 billion to romance scammers.
• These scams typically involve hackers creating fake identities and building online relationships to eventually ask for money.

Social Media Quizzes

• Online quizzes may seem harmless but can be designed to extract personal information.
• Hackers use the collected data to hack into user accounts.
• Quizzes can reveal information like hometown, favorite movie, or pet's name, which can be used as passwords or answers to security questions.

Avoiding Social Media Scams

• To avoid scams, use the highest privacy settings available and avoid making personal data public.
• Be cautious when accepting friend requests and verify them through other channels if suspicious.
• Avoid taking online quizzes that can reveal personal information.
• If you suspect you've been scammed, change all passwords and report it immediately.

Social Media Scams

• Social media scams are common and use various tactics to target users.
• Hackers employ impersonation, where they pose as someone you know, to trick users into accepting their friend requests.

Impersonation Scam

• Hackers duplicate a user's profile, using their actual photo and information, to send friend requests to their friends list.
• When friends accept the fake friend request, the hacker gains access to their profile and posts.

Phishing Attack

• Hackers send fake messages or emails with links or attachments that download malware onto devices.
• These messages often appear real, claiming to have compromising information or asking for immediate action.

Social Engineering Attacks

• Hackers create elaborate stories to convince users to send them money, often using romance scams.
• Romance scams involve hackers creating fake identities and building online relationships to eventually ask for money.

Romance Scams

• In 2019, over 70,000 people lost more than $1.3 billion to romance scammers.
• Romance scams typically involve hackers creating fake identities and building online relationships to eventually ask for money.

Social Media Quizzes

• Online quizzes may seem harmless but can be designed to extract personal information, which can be used to hack into user accounts.
• Quizzes can reveal information like hometown, favorite movie, or pet's name, which can be used as passwords or answers to security questions.

Avoiding Social Media Scams

• Use the highest privacy settings available and avoid making personal data public.
• Be cautious when accepting friend requests and verify them through other channels if suspicious.
• Avoid taking online quizzes that can reveal personal information.
• If you suspect you've been scammed, change all passwords and report it immediately.

Social Media Scams

• Social media scams are common and use various tactics to target users.
• Hackers employ impersonation, where they pose as someone you know, to trick users into accepting their friend requests.

Impersonation Scam

• Hackers duplicate a user's profile, using their actual photo and information, to send friend requests to their friends list.
• When friends accept the fake friend request, the hacker gains access to their profile and posts.

Phishing Attack

• Hackers send fake messages or emails with links or attachments that download malware onto devices.
• These messages often appear real, claiming to have compromising information or asking for immediate action.

Social Engineering Attacks

• Hackers create elaborate stories to convince users to send them money, often using romance scams.
• Romance scams involve hackers creating fake identities and building online relationships to eventually ask for money.

Romance Scams

• In 2019, over 70,000 people lost more than $1.3 billion to romance scammers.
• Romance scams typically involve hackers creating fake identities and building online relationships to eventually ask for money.

Social Media Quizzes

• Online quizzes may seem harmless but can be designed to extract personal information, which can be used to hack into user accounts.
• Quizzes can reveal information like hometown, favorite movie, or pet's name, which can be used as passwords or answers to security questions.

Avoiding Social Media Scams

• Use the highest privacy settings available and avoid making personal data public.
• Be cautious when accepting friend requests and verify them through other channels if suspicious.
• Avoid taking online quizzes that can reveal personal information.
• If you suspect you've been scammed, change all passwords and report it immediately.