Archives - Social Media Scams


Limit the personal information you post on social

Try not to post information that might make you vulnerable, such as your address or information about your schedule or routine. If your social connections post information about you, make sure the combined information is not more than you would be comfortable with strangers knowing. Also be considerate when posting information, including photos, about your […]

Set login alerts and approvals for Facebook

Facebook allows you to set up alerts for when a new login attempt occurs on your account. You can choose to receive a text or email notification when your account is accessed from a new device, giving you a real-time warning of potentially suspicious activity. There’s also an option to go one step further and […]

Do not trust everything you see online

When online a little bit of skepticism is helpful. People can post false or misleading information about various topics, including their own identities on social networking websites. It’s not always done with malicious intent; it could be unintentional, an exaggeration, or a joke. Take appropriate precautions, though, and try to verify the authenticity of any […]

Be wary of shortened URL links

Services like Bitly are great for creating unique short URLs and keeping character length down. This is particularly relevant for social media posts, especially Twitter — where every character counts (quite literally!). But be vigilant before opening these types of links. The abbreviated URL could be hiding malicious intent.

Identify social engineering patterns in chats and direct messages

Chats and direct messages (DMs) are essential features of platforms like social media networks and online gaming service. Their acceptance makes them common channels for social engineering scams, though. Don’t click suspicious links or give out sensitive information in these online exchanges, particularly not to people you’ve just virtually met.

Don’t respond to quizzes or polls on Facebook

Facebook quizzes might be a fun time at the moment, but they’re also a commonly exploited scam for cybercriminals. Hackers use these questionnaires as data gathering tools by asking you to provide personal or demographic information that helps them answer password hints. By first creating a fake account and using automation to gain followers, they […]