Menu

News

Important Update: Mandatory Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for Azure Users

Important Update: Mandatory Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for Azure Users

, , , , , ,

Starting in July 2024, multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be mandatory for all Azure users.

What is MFA?

MFA requires users to provide two or more pieces of evidence to verify their identity before accessing a service or resource. It adds an extra layer of protection beyond the standard username and password authentication.

Why is MFA important?

  • Enhanced Security: MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
  • Effective Defense: According to Microsoft, MFA can block over 99.2% of account compromise attacks.
  • Phishing Prevention: It helps prevent unauthorized access due to phishing, credential stuffing, and other attacks.

What to Expect

  • The rollout will be gradual and methodical to minimize impact on your use cases.
  • You’ll receive specific roll-out dates via direct emails and Azure Portal notifications in the coming months.

Take Action Now

If you prefer not to wait, you can set up MFA now using our recommended solution:

Set up the Microsoft Authenticator App as your Verification Method

Need help or have additional questions? Our team is available to help! 

Compliance

IT Compliance and Why Your Business Needs It

, , , , , , , ,

Even if they don’t fall under the umbrella of the company’s core capabilities, we must address many critical issues when running a corporation. IT compliance is one such issue. This month we have been discussing compliance and how critical it is to your organization over the past few weeks.

What Is IT Compliance?

A recent blog post of ours provides an informative explanation of IT compliance. Adhering to the rules, regulations, and specifications established by a third party aims to lower the risk for your company and permit you to operate in the area or sector under their authority.

IT Security

What Distinguishes IT Compliance from IT Security?

Another phrase we are all familiar with is “IT security,” particularly today when online fraud, data breaches, and other assaults are so common. In a recent blog post, we outlined the contrasts between IT security and compliance and some of their shared characteristics.

The Parallels

Many people find compliance and security perplexing, and some believe them to be the same thing. This confusion makes sense because both pertain to protecting your company in a dangerous online environment. Both lower your company’s risks and make it easier for you to operate safely.

To win and keep your client’s trust, compliance and security are essential. You can attract clients and establish a solid reputation much more quickly if you can show that your system is safe and complies with all applicable legal and industry standards.

The Distinctions

One distinction between IT compliance and IT security is that the former is carried out to satisfy the demands set forth by a third party, while the latter is to secure one’s business or enterprise. The goal of IT security is to keep your system as secure as possible, so it typically incorporates far more stringent safety measures and protocols.

Another distinction is that although compliance is completed as soon as the asking party is satisfied, IT security is a continuous process that must be maintained around the clock. While security demands change to keep up with evolving hacker tactics, compliance standards remain consistent.

achieve compliance

What Makes Compliance a Team Effort?

Businesses frequently assign compliance to just one person since many think it to be routine labor that only requires the minimal standards imposed by a third party. However, the duty to comply is far more important and complex than that. In yet another blog, we go over the reasons why compliance should be a team effort for every firm.

One of these is that many discussions must occur before complete compliance is good to go. Email encryption, data encryption, firewalls, backups, data availability, and storage are some of the most important topics to discuss. Your business may incur fines and penalties if any of these issues are not correctly handled. Even worse, it might expose security holes in your system that are simple for hackers to exploit.

We have a free Ebook you can use if you believe your business was hacked. Download it Free today!

Naturally, we don’t want things to get to that point. You must attempt to comply to reduce the likelihood of a breach happening. Expecting one person to accomplish this delicate isn’t realistic or wise. We strongly advise you to assign the task to a group of professionals who can ensure that all standards will be met, and that your company will be fully compliant in no time.

Call us right away, and we’ll set up a free session to discuss how we can help you.

achieve compliance

Working to Achieve Compliance

, , , , , , , ,

There are dozens upon dozens of jobs that need to be finished before your business can fully comply with all the standards established by third parties like regulatory authorities and clients. These tasks span many departments inside the firm and cannot be completed by a single person. We need an efficient and complete team of compliance experts for the procedure to achieve compliance.

Important Topics to Discuss if you want to Achieve Compliance

Most instances of compliance failure are because of poor planning and communication. You must quickly gather your compliance team and discuss all the key concerns to avert these difficulties. This way it can help you to achieve compliance.

Email Security to Achieve Compliance

Your company receives and sends hundreds of emails every day. To secure all these emails and shield their contents from hackers’ prying eyes, you need a trustworthy encryption system.

Encryption of Data

All data collection processes must be foolproof because they prevent the theft or exposure of sensitive information like important information.

Firewalls 

Knowledgeable hackers can bypass some firewalls if you cant achieve compliance. You need to update to a multi-level system if you are still using one of these older styles of screens since newer firewalls offer a far greater line of defense against unauthorized intrusions.

In the event of a system breakdown or some form of cyberattack, data backups are your lifeline. It’s crucial to create backups and store them in a secure location that conforms to regulatory requirements.

Data Storage and Accessibility to Achieve Compliance

Authorized employees only in your company should have access to sensitive data to achieve compliance. To reduce data breaches, there must be a reliable method of limiting access to your information.

Physical Entry

We must not ignore physical security precautions in maximizing digital security. Upon their departure, each employee should wipe clean their Laptop. Screen filters may be necessary for some workstations containing sensitive data.

Officer in Charge of Internal Compliance Duties

You need an internal compliance officer and a highly qualified IT compliance team to achieve compliance. Their main responsibility is monitoring the team and making sure everyone follows compliance standards, such as locking their systems when they leave their workstations and exercising caution when using sensitive company information like credit card numbers.

The duties of the internal compliance officer also include routine employee training. The best way to keep employees informed and to achieve compliance about the constant threats online is with quarterly training. New employees should receive full training on compliance procedures when they join the organization.

The internal compliance officer will also be in charge of keeping track of compliance-related material, including backup plans and communication standards.

Compliance Delegation to an MSP

Even businesses that have nothing to do with the IT industry still need to comply with a plethora of IT laws. There’s no need to be concerned if you don’t have an internal IT team or your workforce has the knowledge or experience necessary to complete the task. Managed service providers, or MSPs, can manage these technological issues for you to achieve compliance.

Give us a call, we can have a group of compliance specialists visit your company and make sure you’re doing everything by the book. We will take care of any regulatory authority obligations you have, whether they are for HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, NIST, or another regulatory body. In addition, our team will coordinate with your business directly to cover all bases. You can also check out our free Ebook if you’re looking for great advice to keep your business safe in the meantime.

IT Security

What Is IT Compliance and IT Security

, , , , , ,

IT compliance and IT security are two key issues for every business. Many believe they are interchangeable, while others routinely mistake one for the other. They are not the same thing, but when used in tandem, they can maximize online security and reduce the chance of data breaches and other threats. In this blog, we will clarify which is which and discuss why you should consider both.

IT Security Definition

IT security, as the name suggests, is making sure the IT infrastructure of a business or organization is safe. Also, IT security experts usually have two main goals when preparing a security plan. First, it should be able to stop cyberattacks that harm the system or endanger the company’s data. Second, it ought to offer a way to reduce harm if attackers get past the defenses.

We must consider a few important factors while developing an IT security plan. The integrity of the system, the confidentiality of sensitive data, and the accessibility of crucial data and systems are a few of the most significant ones.

When we consider these objectives, it is easy to see that IT security entails the application of best practices to ensure the security and protection of a company, regardless of the sector or size of the firm.

What Is IT Compliance?

IT compliance relates to meeting the demands of a third party for the company’s operations or services to be accepted. For example, governments have tech policies that businesses must follow to work legally under their control. There are also specific IT regulations that businesses must follow. Meeting a client’s or customer’s contractual obligations is another aspect of IT compliance.

IT security and IT compliance frequently overlap. Much of the criteria is concerned with safeguarding the organization’s data and systems. However, the goal of IT compliance is to adhere to the rules. If you don’t fulfill these demands, a potential client might not choose you.

What Are the Variations of IT Security and IT Compliance?

Although they share certain similarities, there are three key differences between IT security and IT compliance.

  • What They Guard

We use best practices for IT security to protect your company’s data and IT infrastructure to the extent possible. IT compliance protects the operations of your business and makes sure that all laws are followed so your business will run smoothly and without problems.

  • Who They Help

IT security processes are important for your business because they keep your network and data safe from threats on the internet. Also, IT compliance has other benefits, but the purpose is to meet the requirements of a third party.

  • What They Do and How

IT compliance is usually done when a third-party gets to set the requirements and when those requirements are met, the job is done. On the other hand, IT security needs constant upkeep. It might need to be updated and improved often to meet the changing needs of your business.

It is preferable to hire professionals when you need help with either of these parts of your business than to handle it yourself if you have no training or expertise. Our IT professionals several years of security and compliance experience.

If your business has already been the target of a cyberattack, please give us a call, and we will get to work right away! We can help you quickly recover by developing a sound strategy to keep your data safe. In the meantime, download our free Ebook to learn Ten Tips on what to do after you’ve been hacked.

FEB_WK4_ALT

February Recap: Personal Identifiable Information (PII) in Data Security

, , , , , , ,

This month, we focused on a variety of topics regarding personal identifiable information (PII). Personal identification information (PII) includes name, address, phone number, and medical history. Hackers steal PII from unwary people and organizations in the digital age and its increasing. It’s not surprising that cybercriminals are focusing on PII because it gives them a simple way to access financial accounts, steal identities, and engage in other nefarious deeds.

You can never really underestimate these hackers and the havoc they can wreak. Just to give you an idea, take a look at some of our latest blogs about PII.

Breaches

Week 1: Top Data Breach Incidents in 2022

We recently listed the top 10 data breaches in 2022 in one of our blogs. Millions of innocent people have been impacted by these data breaches, which has unfortunately cost millions of dollars in losses.

Breach of Data to Steal Money

Attacks on cryptocurrency websites have resulted in the theft of $625 million from Ronin Crypto in the first quarter of the year and about $33 million from Crypto.com in January. Massive attacks have also hit Twitter and Microsoft, but fortunately, they detect them quickly.

Breach of Data to Steal Personal Identifiable Information (PII)

Other significant data breaches this year include the sale of stolen credit card information on the dark web, the theft of insurance and medical records from Medibank, an Australian healthcare and insurance company, and the theft of missing persons data from Red Cross.

How Data Breach Events Occur

The origins of these data breaches can be traced to the hacker obtaining access to someone’s personally identifiable information, which they then used to breach the company’s highly secure network, despite the fact that the objectives and methods of these data breaches vary.

identifiable Information

Week 2: Acquiring knowledge of personal identifiable information (PII)

Any information that can be used to clearly identify a specific person is known as personal identifiable information, or PII. The full name of a person, their social security number, and their biometrics are some examples of PII because these are common to us. In one of our recent blogs, we expand on PII.

Hackers aim to obtain these pieces of information by any means necessary because of the influence they hold. Once they possess this vital information, they will have no trouble breaking into secure areas of businesses, both online and off.

Information Security Using a Data Privacy Framework

It is abundantly clear how important personally identifiable information is. Keeping this information as secure as possible is crucial in light of this. Utilizing a solid data privacy framework is one of the best ways to guarantee this.

Although there are many already in existence that you can use, it is best to have your own framework that was especially for your business if you want the highest level of protection. With such a security solution, you can feel safer from intruders.

pii

Week 3: Keeping Your Personal Identifiable Information (PII) Data Safe

We discuss specific actions you can take to protect your personally identifiable information in a recent blog post titled 2022 – The Guide to Protecting Your PII. Regardless of your data privacy strategy, you should always take precautions to stay ahead of hackers. Some practical methods to safeguard your PII both online and offline are in our guide list. Read the entire blog post here.

Rebuilding your business security After a Hack

In order to protect your PII, you have taken great care and taken all the necessary steps. But even with all of this, some very cunning hackers might still be able to access your system. Here is a Free Ebook to help you quickly repair any harm that has been caused. Do you want to know more about PII and data security? Give us a call right away, and let’s talk!

pii

Protecting Your PII From Hackers

, , , , , , ,

The term “personally identifiable information,” or “PII,” refers to any information that can identify a particular person. If an unauthorized party steals your PII, it could use it for illegal activities such as breaking into secured areas, making unlawful transactions in your name, or even stealing your identity entirely. You must have some knowledge about protecting your personally identifiable information to prevent any unfortunate situations from occurring. Both online and offline executions of this procedure are required.

Physical Measures to Protect Your PII

Even though we now conduct most of our business online, if you are not vigilant, hackers can still access a lot of your physical data. Your name, address, and bank or credit card account numbers are all found on postal mail, account statements, and utility bills. As a result, you must protect these records from data thieves.

Discreet Storage

The secure storage of your papers is an important step in securing your personally identifiable information. Start by installing a lock on your mailbox, which is now required. You can also use a private PO Box where only you have access to your mail. It’s also wise to store your vital papers in a fireproof safe at home rather than a cardboard box or dresser drawer.

Look Over Your Mail

When you get your bills and account statements, look them over carefully to see if there are any strange charges. Even better, instead of waiting for the bill to arrive in the mail, you can check your statement online regularly. Because your PII is frequently included in mail, mail theft is a widespread problem.

Employ a Shredder

Even if you no longer need your bank statements or other financial records, never throw them away. Dumpster diving is a common habit among hackers as they look for any data that will aid in their nefarious activities. Purchase a personal shredder that you can use to dispose of confidential documents safely.

Keep Your PII Safe Online

Since practically everything is now online, hackers can access data much more easily. To protect your PII, you must navigate the web with extreme caution.

Select Reliable Passwords

Strong passwords combining letters, numbers, and other special characters will make them difficult to crack. For increased protection, change your passwords at least once every month.

Use Just One Credit Card

The likelihood that a hacker may use your cards for illegal activity increases with the more cards you use for online purchasing. Reduce this risk by using just one card, this will keep your PII safer and less likely to be stolen.

Browse With Care

Always be on the lookout when you are browsing the web, reading your email, or accessing your social media accounts. Ignore pop-ups and don’t click on dubious links or attachments as they almost certainly contain malware.

PII: What to Do If You Believe You Have Been Hacked

Even if you have taken all the precautions to protect your data, there are some important things that you need to address immediately. We firmly advise that you adhere to our 10-step action plan rather than erupting into a full-blown panic. The advice in our Free ebook will put you on the path to recovery much more quickly and give you a decent chance of recovering your data and restoring total control of your network, even if you might initially feel helpless. Check out the many helpful tools we have by giving us a call, if you want to learn more about securing your network and safeguarding your personally identifiable information.

Breaches

Top 10 Data Breaches Incidents for 2022

, , , , , , , ,

Over time, there has been a significant improvement in cybersecurity tools and tactics. Data breaches are still one of the biggest hazards online, though. So you need to always be on guard, especially when working online. Even large international companies with the best security systems available can still be hacked.

Many sizable businesses have experienced data breaches this year, which have resulted in private information leaks, the loss of millions of dollars in revenue, and other losses. Here are the ten worst incidents that have occurred in 2022 to date.

Bitcoin Theft

In January, hackers were able to get around Crypto.com’s two-factor authentication and get their hands on about $18 million in Bitcoin and $15 million in Ethereum.

Breaches of Red Cross Data

In January, hackers accessed a Red Cross database related to their Restoring Family Links Program. Hackers took information on people and families divided by war and other factors, and even information about missing people. When the Red Cross quickly took its servers offline, the attacks stopped.

Crypto Theft by Ronin

Early in 2022, the game Axie Infinity gained enormous popularity. When they attempted to accommodate more players, security precautions were relaxed. This error was a bad idea because it gave hackers full access, and in the end, they stole $625 million worth of cryptocurrency.

Breach of Microsoft’s data

In March, a group of hackers called Lapsus$ broke through Microsoft’s top-level security, putting several other IT giants’ products at risk. Microsoft stopped the attack in two days and said the hackers did not get any client information.

Breaches of Cash App Data

In April, a former employee who had issues with the payment company Cash App began hacking into their system. The hacker stole records with the names, portfolio values, and brokerage account numbers of 8 million clients, so the attack affected all of them.

Breaches of Student Loan Data

In June, a data breach at the student loan servicer Nelnet Servicing exposed names, contact information, and social security numbers from more than 2.5 million accounts. Before they identified the breach, nearly a month had passed.

Twitter Data Breach in July 2022

A hacker stole data from over 5.4 million Twitter accounts and put it up for sale in a hacking forum. Sensitive data was taken, and the hacker wanted $30,000 for it.

Breaches of Medibank Data

An untrustworthy party stole 9.7 million records in October. The hacker eventually released the files online in separate batches when the corporation refused to accept his requests.

A Leak of Credit Card Information

The BidenCash carding marketplace offered information on over 1.2 million credit card accounts for free, making it possible for anybody to use them to make online transactions. These cards are still in use and will expire between 2023 and 2026.

Data Breach Shein

A hacker stole 39 million Shein customers’ credit card information and sold it on a hacker forum. Shein was fined $1.9 million for failing to notify the breach, even though the breach occurred in 2018, it wasn’t discovered until October of this year.

What to Do If You Believe Your Account Has Been Hacked

As you can see, each of these businesses is worth several million dollars, and they all fell victim to cyberattacks that led to data breaches. This merely shows that anyone may become a victim. Therefore, reconsider your assumptions if you believe that your current defenses are complete enough. With internet attacks, there is no room for error. Your cybersecurity strategies should be reviewed frequently and changed to remain effective in the modern world.

But if you think someone has hacked you, you can use our detailed instructions to get your data back and make your network secure again. If you want an easy way to find out if your employees are being approached by hackers, you can download our Free ebook on the 10 steps to take when you think you have been phished.

Call us and let’s get started protecting your data right away!

Social Engineering

January Recap: All You Need to Know About Social Engineering

, , , , , , , ,

This month, we covered a range of topics concerning social engineering. Social engineering is now considered one of the most prevalent risks when it comes to online security. Most hackers rely heavily on social engineering tactics to lure unsuspecting users to divulge information.

It sounds complicated but it’s nothing more than the practice of manipulating people into revealing information through the use of false pretenses. It often creates a sense of urgency, fear or excitement, playing with people’s emotions to get them to do exactly what the hackers want them to do. In case you missed any of them, here is a brief summary.

social engineeringWeek 1: What Is Social Engineering and How Can It Affect Your Business?

We discussed the basics of social engineering and how the different types of attacks are used to exploit unsuspecting victims. We also looked at what makes up a successful social engineering attack and how attackers might use modern technology to increase their reach. Specifically, attackers may utilize deception techniques such as phishing emails or malicious links in order to gain access to personal information or data. Additionally, attackers may use impersonation tactics in order to manipulate their target into giving away information or credentials.

Social engineering is the infiltration of something secure, intending to acquire information or secure access through cunning means. With the use of modern technology, social engineering is now possible with the victims not even knowing. If you are caught unprepared, as a result, this could potentially lead to the downfall of your business. With awareness and the presence of mind, you can easily avoid becoming a victim. One of the commonly used methods is tailgating or entering the premises on the pretense that they are an authorized entity.

Simple practices like refraining from opening suspicious-looking emails and attachments would be very helpful. It is also advisable to implement multifactor authentication in all your systems and to keep your antivirus software updated. Click here to read more of our week-1 blog defining what exactly social engineering is.

 

Social Engineering scamsWeek 2: Where Does Social Engineering Scams Come from?

In order to prevent these attacks from being successful, it is important for users to remain aware and educated about cybersecurity best practices and protocols. This includes implementing strong passwords that include both upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters; avoiding suspicious links through email or messaging services; and utilizing two-factor authentication measures when possible–for example, when accessing accounts online or over public Wi-Fi networks. Users should also use secure VPNs whenever possible to protect their remote data..

There are more than 4.74 billion social media users today. Hackers are using social media to entice unsuspecting users into their traps. They create fake accounts that are used in either of the following four ways:. MIPs are bare profiles, usually with seductive profile photos that are meant to get people interested enough to add them as a contact. A hacker will then use this fake MIP to send malware through messenger or post malicious links on your wall. Fully Invested Profiles are intended purpose of fully invested profiles is the same as those created for MIPs. Click here to read more of our week-2 blog about the origin of social engineering.

 

 

Cybercriminals Use Social EngineeringWeek 3: The Top 5 Ways Cybercriminals Use Social Engineering

Finally, we presented best practices for staying safe online when encountering suspicious links or other potentially dangerous content. For example, links in messages can lead to malicious sites with malware that could compromise users’ personal information and devices. It is also important for users not to respond immediately if they receive an unexpected message from someone they do not know or recognize – even if it appears legitimate – as this could be an attempt by adversaries to gain access to sensitive data via impersonation techniques.

Cybercriminals use social engineering to play on victims’ emotions and gain their trust. There are a number of different ways that cybercriminals manipulate their victims online. Phishing is by far the most common and most effective tactic that hackers use in social engineering. This is where the hacker pretends to be someone that the victim knows, then asks for their login details. There are so many ways that cybercriminals use social engineering for malicious intent these days. Piggybacking, also known as tailgating, is when someone discreetly follows an authorized person into a restricted area of the building. As a business owner, it is crucial to ensure that you educate all your employees fully when it comes to social engineering attacks and other cybercrimes. Click here to read more of our week-3 blog and the top 5 social engineering threats.

By following these tips and remaining vigilant about potential attacks, everyone can make sure to stay safe online! Give us a call if you think you need help strengthening your business against attacks.

Cybercriminals Use Social Engineering

The Top 5 Ways Cybercriminals Use Social Engineering

, , , , , , ,

Advanced technology and cutting-edge hacking techniques have been the main tool that cybercriminals use for online attacks. But did you know that the most effective method that hackers use for enticing victims online is something so much simpler? Cybercriminals use social engineering or in other words, manipulate people by establishing trust and playing on their emotions.

Common Methods of Social Engineering Attacks

There are a number of creative ways that social engineers go about their devious ways. However, there are five ways that stand out on how cybercriminals use social engineering for their personal gain.

Phishing

This method is by far the most common and most effective tactic that cybercriminals use in social engineering. It has been around for years yet people continue to fall for it at an alarmingly high rate. Phishing is common using emails. In fact, anyone who has an email account would likely have received several phishing attempts in their inbox.

Among the earliest phishing emails are those that come from a Nigerian prince who needs your help in getting his inheritance and in return, he will give you a sizable portion of his wealth. Later on, phishing emails became more believable, like an email from what seems to be your bank, asking to verify your account number. Recently, phishing through social media has become rampant, where you would be asked to log in to your account on what seems to be a real social media site but is actually just a clever imitation.

Baiting

Baiting is what cybercriminals use social engineering and is an approach where something is in front of the target victim, hoping to get them to click on a link and fall for the trap. It could be a free movie or song or something that would be of interest to the victim. The link does not give them what was promised and is instead some kind of malware that will cause damage.

Cybercriminals use Social Engineering Pretexting

This kind of social engineering scam is where the hacker pretends to be someone that the victim knows. They might pretend to be the head of IT doing some routine check, then ask for an employee’s login info. Or they might pretend to be a law enforcer or investigator, at which many people would be very cooperative. Because the employee thinks the hacker is a trusted entity, they might willingly give their details.

Quid Pro Quo

This is a type of social engineering attack where the hacker offers you something in exchange for critical information. Let’s say a disgruntled employee has been laid off or had left a company in not so amicable terms. Hackers hunt these disgruntled individuals and offer to buy the information that they can use to attack the company.

Cybercriminals use Social Engineering Piggybacking

Although social engineering these days is through online, there are still plenty of approaches that take place in the physical environment. Piggybacking is one such example. Also known as tailgating, piggybacking is when someone discreetly follows an authorized person into a restricted area of the building. Once they are in, they can easily access computers to steal data.

How to Be Safe from Cybercriminals using Social Engineering Attacks

There are so many ways of how cybercriminals use social engineering for malicious intent these days. However, there are also several things that you can do to keep safe from these attacks.

Many of the preventive measures are actually very simple, starting with never revealing passwords and other sensitive data to anyone. This includes heads of IT departments, people in charge of corporate audits, or even law enforcers.

As a business owner, it is also crucial to ensure that you educate all your employees fully when it comes to social engineering attacks and other cybercrimes. You can check what they already know about the dark web by having them read this Free ebook.

We have plenty of tools and resources that can help boost your protection against all kinds of cyberattacks. Call us today and we will be happy to put together a strategy that will keep your business and data as safe as can be!

Social Engineering scams

Where Does Social Engineering Scams Come from?

, , , , , , , ,

Social engineering scams are so much more rampant these days than ever before. There will certainly be suspicious-looking items in your inbox when you check your emails, which are most likely phishing emails. Many people now know to avoid clicking these malicious emails, which is a good thing. But still, their vast amount makes you wonder, where do social engineering scams come from anyway? The very simple answer to that is social media.

How Social Media Is Used for Social Engineering scams

According to the latest count, there are more than 4.74 billion social media users today. For hackers, each of these users is a potential target. Hackers are using social media to entice unsuspecting users into their traps because there is such a large online population. Specifically, they create fake accounts that are used in either of the following four methods.

Manipulating Public Opinion

People can be very impressionable, especially regarding things they see on social media. Social engineers take advantage of this vulnerability to sway the public’s view on certain things, like politics. Political parties routinely create millions of fake accounts to spread information that could sway voters during elections. Online, posts from phony accounts can spread quickly and have a significant impact on voters for very little money. This is what you call Social Engineering scams.

False Advertising

It is very common to see posts on social media where you can supposedly win a prize if you like or share their page. Or how about those pages that are apparently on the verge of closing down and need to dispose of their inventory quickly, where you can get a chance to get one of their products by simply sharing their page. These are nothing but social engineering scams called false advertising.

After Steve Jobs’ death, a viral post claimed Apple was honoring him by giving away iPhones and iPads.. Millions of people from around the world clicked on the malicious link, thinking they were just entering a raffle. What happened instead was that their devices got infected with a nasty virus.

Minimally Invested Profiles or MIPs

Minimally invested profiles are created en masse and are usually bare profiles, usually with seductive profile photos that are meant to get people interested enough to add them as a contact, typically on Facebook. Once the connection has been established, the hacker will then use this fake MIP to send malware through messenger or post malicious links on your wall. That is when they start the social engineering scams.

Fully Invested Profiles or FIPs

The intended purpose of fully invested profiles is pretty much the same as that of the MIPs, which is to get people to click on certain links. But an FIP involves more effort as it is made to look authentic to the eyes of the target victim. It could imitate the account of real contact, and they might try to add you saying that they created a new account because they were hacked, or they forgot the password, and so on.

You can actually spot these fake profiles easily by practicing due diligence. Check out every account before accepting friend requests. If the account is relatively new and is suspiciously lacking in friends or content, then that is a red flag right there.

Protect Yourself From Social Engineering Scams

Social media may be part of our daily lives, but that doesn’t mean you can use it carelessly. Never be caught unaware when you are online, especially when you are using social media. This goes for both your personal and business accounts. If you use social media for business, it’s best to train all your employees in online attack prevention.

We have prepared a Free ebook that you can read just to see how prepared you are to face social engineering scams or attacks. If you feel there is room for improvement, give us a call and we can step in anytime to boost your defense and increase your protection against online threats.

Load More