How Do Cyber Criminals Weaponize Social Media Platforms & How to Prevent it?

Social media channels, like Facebook, provide millions of people a platform to promote their brand or connect with the targeted audience. However, these networks are internet-driven, increasing cybersecurity risks.

Online predators can access your social media account if they decode the password. Hence, you must avoid using easy-to-assume passcodes when creating an account on Instagram or Twitter. Experts stated that more than 150,000 Facebook accounts are hacked every day.

Cyber crimes are increasing daily because of oversharing details on social media networks. Never link your financial information on these online platforms; otherwise, hackers can fraudulently withdraw money from your bank account.

Several reasons can be listed for the spike in cyber threats. Lack of awareness and security practices are the prime causes of social media risks. Overuse or addiction to social networking sites is another reason for the rise in cybercrimes.

Let’s learn about the common cybersecurity threats in social media and how to prevent them:

Major Cyber Security Risks on Social Media Platforms:

Facebook and Instagram witness the most cybercrimes among all the other social media channels. Data Recovery Dubai reported that 13% of users lose access to social media accounts for providing details like 2FA codes and PINs.

Can’t open your social media account even after entering the correct password? It is a clear sign that someone has hacked your profile. You might have accidentally clicked on a malicious link, leading to cyber threats. Spoofed websites are another tool hackers use to deceive their victims. So, be aware of these online scams to minimise the social media risks.

Here are the top ways cybercriminals use to gain access to social media accounts:

1. Malware Attacks

Your social media account can be infected with malware without your acknowledgement. Hackers can cause enormous brand reputation damage if they gain access to the business account linked to Facebook.

How do hackers manage to install malware? We will make this cyberattack method clear with an example. Online predators often share a picture link and tell social media users to like it. Sometimes, it can come from a trusted source which could be more dangerous.

The picture will be downloaded automatically on your device if you tap on the link. This is how cybercriminals hack your account with a malware infection. Malware software can also be disguised as an audio clip or a fake “like” button on social media sites.

Why do Cyber-Attackers use Malware?

You might have heard about Trojan horses, spyware and computer viruses – all malware. Cybercriminals use them to obtain sensitive data from the user’s devices. Besides, malware attacks are designed to cause damage to your PC or office networks.

Malware tricks a victim into sharing their details, leading to identity theft. Stealing customers’ credit cards or other financial data is an objective of this cyber attack. So, avoid clicking on links you receive on social media sites. Don’t share personal data on these online platforms to prevent malware attacks.

2. Social Engineering

Social media undeniably plays a pivotal role in businesses’ growth. However, these online sites increase the chances of social engineering attacks. How does this cyberattack process work? It is a manipulation tactic hackers use to trick users into sharing their confidential data.

Cybercriminals pretend to be high-level executives to get details from targeted users. They might also trick you into transferring significant money to their account. Hence, start using the fraud detection app to stop receiving calls from fraudsters.

Another example of social engineering is when cybercriminals create fake accounts to trick users into clicking malicious links. Over 70% of social media users lose their sensitive data to this cyberattack. Train your employees to identify social engineering attacks to safeguard your valuable business data.

How Cybercriminals Use Social Engineering Attacks?

Different steps are involved in a social engineering attack. The attacker will first research the targeted social media users, and they will gather information like where they work or how much they earn.

Hackers will then use these acquired data to trick them into providing the information they want. Social media platforms provide cyber-attackers with an avenue to reach the victims. It can compromise your small or large business’s security. So, knowing how to avoid this social media threat is essential.

3. Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are a major cybersecurity threat to social media platforms. Hackers send fake coupons and gifts to users in the name of reputed brands like Apple or Starbucks. This type of phishing scam is common on Facebook and Instagram.

The attackers force you to provide personal information to claim the coupon or eGifts. Some scammers also ask for your bank details to send the money you receive for winning the Facebook quiz.

Romance scams are another phishing scam you can encounter when using social media platforms. Over 40% of victims experienced data breaches after falling for this scam. The FTC reported that hackers target users aged 18 to 29 for phishing scams.

Why Do Cyber-Attackers Use Phishing Scams?

A phishing scam aims to acquire your or your employees’ login passwords. Hackers use this technique to obtain victims’ banking-related details and try to collect information like your number or address.

Hackers often send messages to victims pretending to be a trusted entity. They might convince you to download malware. Scammers can access your data if you install a malicious program on your device.

3 Best Practices to Minimise Cybersecurity Risks in Social Media Platforms

Cyber threats are unavoidable, but you can prevent them by knowing the best security practices. A unique login password isn’t enough to protect your Facebook or Instagram account from hackers.

You must follow these easy tips for the ultimate social media security:

1. Create a Robust Social Media Policy

Do you promote your business via social media platforms? Creating social media is essential to strengthening cybersecurity. It will help employers to outline how employees can handle social networking sites responsibly. This will ultimately protect your business from cyber security threats.

Here is what you must include in the social media policy:

• Ways to identify online scams, cyber-attacks or other security threats
• Steps on how to update the social media apps or devices
• Guidelines on how to reset the password or login credentials
• Rules on how to use social media platforms safely
• Activities to avoid on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
• Name of the employees who will handle the social networking sites
• Whom and when to notify about an online scam to employers

2. Start Using Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Security tools like 2FA provide extra protection on social media accounts. Do you know Adam Mosseri? Yes! He is the head of Instagram, advising users to use 2FA to increase their online security.

Social media apps have a built-in 2FA feature which is disabled by default. It prevents unauthorised users from accessing your account. Hackers can’t change or open your social media account without entering the OTP.

Here is how you can enable 2FA on Meta-owned platforms:

• Access your Facebook or Instagram settings and scroll down to “Password and Security”.
• Locate “Use two-factor authentication” and toggle on the option.
• Select a preferred security method and follow the on-screen instructions.

3. Limit the Social Media Account Access

Don’t share your business’s special media account details with everyone. Change the password if you have mistakenly shared it with any employee. Additionally, limiting social media account access is essential for cybersecurity.

Recent studies show that employees inside the organisation are prime sources of data breaches. Hence, only share the social media platforms’ passwords with those who handle post creation. Avoid adding the password/email address to access the social media accounts on your PC’s notepad.

Effective Social Media Security Practices That You Must Use

Most business owners use the same password for every social media account. However, it can increase the chances of cyber security threats. Hence, use a different login password for Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to boost security.

Watch out for common cybersecurity threats like brand impersonation. Inform your followers if you notice login attempts from an unknown device. Log out of social media accounts when you’re not using them. Start using antivirus programs to prevent hackers from accessing your social media channels.