Viral Fun or Cyber-trap? How Social Media Challenges Can Turn Dangerous

Hey Digital Explorers!

Welcome back to another exciting edition of "Young and Safe Online" where we update you on the latest in digital safety for children, young adults, nurturers, and the public! This week, we’re discussing a fascinating but increasingly dangerous trend: Fun Challenges as Social Engineering. Social media is packed with viral challenges that seem lighthearted and fun, but what if we told you that some of these trends could be traps set by cybercriminals?

Let’s dive in and uncover the risks behind these seemingly innocent online challenges.

What is social engineering?

Social engineering is a tactic used by cybercriminals to manipulate people into revealing sensitive information. Instead of hacking into your computer, they hack your mind! These criminals often disguise their efforts as fun and harmless online activities, tricking people into giving away personal data that can later be used to exploit them.

Behind the fun: When social challenges become Cyber-traps

Have you ever participated in viral social media challenges like these?

- “What’s Your Star Name?” where you provide your first pet's name and your mother’s maiden name.

- “Tell Us About Your High School Experience” that asks for your high school name and graduation year.

These challenges seem like innocent ways to connect with friends, but they have a dark side. The information you share can be used by cybercriminals to guess answers to common security questions used in password recovery or account resets. They’re not interested in your fun facts; they want your personal data!

The rise of “fun” data-harvesting challenges

Social engineering attacks through “fun” social media challenges are on the rise. According to a 2023 report by the Global Cyber Security Forum, nearly 60% of people aged 13-24 admitted to participating in these social media challenges without understanding their risks. Alarmingly, 30% of these participants noticed suspicious activities on their accounts, including unauthorized access attempts soon after.

A Pew Research Center study from 2022 revealed that young people aged 16-24 are the most vulnerable to these attacks due to their heavy social media use and trust in online interactions. It’s easy to fall into these traps when the challenge seems like just another fun trend!

Why do young people fall for it?

The main reason many are vulnerable to these challenges is social validation. When you see your friends joining in and racking up likes and comments, it feels natural to want to be part of the fun. But that desire for social inclusion can sometimes overshadow safety concerns. The platforms most frequently used for these scams, like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, are hugely popular among young people, making them prime hunting grounds for cybercriminals.

Cybercrime Magazine reported that social engineering attacks have risen by 29% in the past two years, with many involving social media trends to manipulate people. (https://dataprot.net/statistics/cybercrime-statistics/)

In 2023, over 1.2 billion records were exposed through social engineering attacks, a significant percentage of which stemmed from oversharing on social media (https://dataprot.net/statistics/cybercrime-statistics/)

A Norton Security survey revealed that 75% of young adults don’t think twice before posting personal information online, especially when participating in viral trends (https://www.tessian.com/blog/examples-of-social-engineering-attacks/)

Real-life consequences

These challenges can lead to real-world consequences. In 2022, a group of high school students in the U.S. participated in an Instagram challenge called “My Perfect Day”. They unknowingly shared details about their daily routines, favourite spots, and even school schedules. Weeks later, several of them became targets of phishing scams, and two students reported stalking incidents due to the personal details they had overshared online.

How to protect yourself

Here’s how you can continue enjoying social media challenges without falling into the traps:

1. Think before you post: Always ask yourself, “Is this challenge asking for too much personal information?” If it feels off, skip it!

2. Check your privacy settings: Ensure that only trusted friends can see your posts, especially those involving personal information.

3. Avoid sharing common security answers: Avoid sharing information like your first pet’s name or mother’s maiden name. This is the type of data hackers love.

4. Report suspicious challenges: If you come across a challenge that seems like a scam, report it to the platform. Your action could protect others.

5. Stay informed: Keep up to date with the latest online threats. Knowledge is your best defense!

Conclusion

While social media challenges can be fun and engaging, they also come with risks that can’t be ignored. As social engineers become more creative, they use the things we love most – connection, fun, and social engagement – to trick us. But with a little caution and awareness, we can stay safe while continuing to enjoy the best of the internet.

Till next time,

Stay Safe! Stay?Vigilant!