The number of people using social media has increased every year. So far in 2018, Facebook already accounts for more than 2 billion registered users. J Instagram surpassed the mark of 1 billion profiles. Therefore, cyber criminals see on these platforms, and in messengers like WhatsApp, a great chance to apply different types of scams. Next, the dnetc separated a list of the biggest scams applied on social networks in 2018. it is important to know each one of them so as not to become the next victim.
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Do not do tests that ask to access your account on any social network Photo: Carolina Ochsendorf / dnetc
On Facebook, it is very common for people to share test results (or quizzes) that look like innocent jokes like "which Friends character are you" or "who were you in the past life". It can be tempting to participate in the game, but I need to be careful. In most cases, these tests have the requirement to allow the websites on which they are hosted to have access to your Facebook account. This loophole gives hackers access to personal information, including that of their contacts.
With this, the account can be hacked or your personal information can be used for future scams. Some companies even use tests to sell services or subscriptions not desired by the user. Therefore, the tip to protect yourself is simple: as innocent as it sounds, do not do any kind of test that needs to log in to your Facebook profile and do not pass any personal information, especially credit card data.
Be wary of messages offering premiums or discounts above the ordinary Photo: Reproduction / Kaspersky
This is one of the oldest scams, but it still makes many victims. The user receives private messages that claim that he won a large prize, whether in cash, appliances or even homes. Even discounts are offered, especially on specific dates, such as Black Friday. The intention is to make the victim click on malicious links that lead to a fraudulent address. From that moment on, everything typed on the computer is collected by hackers.
With this scam, criminals also induce the user to pass personal data such as credit card number or bank password to have their premium released. To protect yourself, click on any link that comes from an unknown source, either by email, Instagram, Facebook or WhatsApp.
To seduce the victims and get money, the criminal creates fake profiles on social networks Photo: Carolina Ochsendorf / dnetc
The catfishing scam works on the basis of seduction. The criminal creates a fake profile with information and photos that look very real (and is often stolen from other users) and goes after people looking for new love or even friendships.
With persuasive conversations, the criminal gains the sympathy and trust of his victims, who can fall in love and create relationships that only exist on the Internet. This makes it easy for the criminal to borrow money or even assets, which will never be returned.
Always hesitate to ask for money loans or credit card information from people you only know on the Internet. If you notice something strange, it is best to block the profile of the possible criminal.
Theft or cloning of profiles is a very common scam on social networks Photo: Reproduo / Felipe Vinha
The scam of cloning profiles is very common on Facebook, but it can also be used on other social networks. The criminal creates an account that is practically identical to the original. Photos and data are the same and if a more detailed analysis is not made, it is possible to believe that what is false is true.
The intention here is to raise money, either through donations for some fictional campaign or something simpler, like asking a friend for help to pay a debt. Every time you receive a request for financial assistance, it is worth checking the profile of who is asking.
The blow becomes more dangerous when the original profile is not cloned but invaded. Hackers change the password and the account owner can no longer access it. Meanwhile, contacts can receive messages that look real. If the profile of any account you have is hacked, notify all your contacts immediately and the administrators of the digital platform.
Just click on the links that have been shortened if you are sure that the source is reliable Photo: Reproduo / Rodrigo Fernandes
Programs that shorten links can be very useful when you need to limit the number of characters in a text, such as Twitter, for example. But cyber criminals have found a way to use the tool to share malicious links. As the URL is shortened, it is difficult to see that the address is fraudulent. The safest way to prevent this scam is to click on any shortened link. Unless you are absolutely sure the source is reliable.
With the Money Flip scam, you can receive investment requests via Instagram Photo: Nicolly Vimercate / dnetc
The "Money Flip" scam is being applied on Instagram, but it can appear on other social networks. In an apparently innocent way, whether in a comment or in the private, you receive a message to make an investment that will make money. Tempting, but a lie.
Some scammers even pass on the phone number to make it look like the real proposal, and create profiles with fake followers who claim to be very happy with the investment profits. Do not believe in any such offer, even if the amount requested is low. The money invested will never be recovered.
Spam started to be used also in social networks and not just by email. Photo: Reproduction
Recently, some Snapchat users have received several messages alerting them that their account information would be deleted if they did not pass on the same information to their contacts. As a result, chain spam was created.
The old social media spam scam. Messages are sent by email or privately, without the recipient's permission, one after the other. The comment space can also be used to spread messages.
In addition to annoying, spam serves to spread unwanted advertising, or attack users with phishing and malware. If you have received messages of this type, report the profile to the administrators of the social network. If you are in doubt if you received a message with a virus, learn to identify a phishing scam.
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