Why should you be attentive to the risk of cyberattacks on social networks?

Currently, about 4.7 billion people are connected to the internet, and at least 3.484 billion people use social networks, which is equivalent to 45% of the world's population. Within this number, more than half have no idea how many risks social networks pose to online security.

I'm not talking about security protocols regarding sharing information with strangers, meeting with other internet users, and so on. More precisely, I'm referring to the famous cyberattacks.

With so much worldwide adoption, social media has become a playground for cybercriminals. Despite having extensive privacy policies, these platforms are not 100% safe without an extra layer of protection. Let's take two recent cases that happened on Facebook as an example:

Last year, Facebook users came across advertisements offering free merchandise to anyone who participated in a specific survey. The problem was that this Ad contained malware that promoted phishing apps to obtain vital information. In another episode, cybercriminals gained access to a payment method used to promote Ads on Facebook. The result? A total loss of $4 million.

Can you see how serious this situation is for an individual? And even worse, for a company? I will discuss this further in this article.

Social attacks

By now, I believe I don't have to say how much we need to protect ourselves from falling into traps like the examples mentioned. However, I always like to say that to fight something, we must first understand how it happens. The principle is the same here.

The methods used by cybercriminals vary according to the social network. Since we are on LinkedIn, I will start with it.

As a platform focused on business, LinkedIn is highly targeted by scammers. If a company has several employees listing their positions, a criminal can use this information to locate professionals who have access to domains they desire, such as private data or finances. After that, they can carry out their scams, just like in the episode where LinkedIn users were redirected to a website that installs a form of malware known as Zbot or Zeus.

Instagram has also faced some cyber issues, where scammers took control of users' accounts. The famous TikTok, which became a worldwide sensation, also had its vulnerabilities exposed by two developers who discovered a security loophole to disseminate fake content about Covid-19 on official accounts.

As you can see, all social networks — without exception — are exposed to experiencing cyberattacks. I usually say that to suffer a cyberattack on digital platforms, all you need to do is start using them.

Whether you use social networks personally or for business purposes in your company, prioritizing greater security is necessary. In a completely digital era, you need to stay one step ahead.?

Fortunately, just as cybercriminals reinvent themselves to carry out scams, we, as specialized professionals in technological solutions, also work constantly and tirelessly to ensure protection against all types of cybercrime, including those that occur on social platforms.

How to protect yourself

When it comes to protection, even the most basic measures cannot be ignored. Ad blockers — especially those that block pop-ups instructing users to download software to view content — should be prioritized.

The security of network passwords, as well as the Wi-Fi password, should also be at the top of the priority list, and of course, we should never forget about famous antivirus software.

But this is not enough. If it were, the United States Department of Defense would never have suffered any cyberattack. Instead of crossing your fingers and hoping that you or your company will never become another victim among many, some security elements can be implemented to ensure that social cyberattacks, as well as other attacks, do not happen.

Here is a list of the most advanced solutions available on the market today:

• Darktrace — This solution utilizes the newest and most effective technology to detect suspicious behaviors in real-time (even those that may seem imperceptible), on networks before they can become an attack.

• Acsia — The best way to define this tool is as post-perimeter security. It operates on the application or data layers, monitoring and protecting the platforms.

• Pradeo — Specifically geared toward mobile devices, Pradeo ensures that these devices do not suffer from security flaws.

• SafeGuard Cyber — With this tool, it is possible to manage the entire lifecycle of protection against digital risks on platforms, including those accessed through mobile applications.

• Thales — Thales guarantees that users can enjoy secure digital interactions by analyzing information and encrypting data.

• XTN — The solutions offered by XTN protect companies and individuals against threats related to mobile devices, making access to applications (including social media apps) resistant to intrusions, reverse engineering, and even tampering.

Of course, these are not the only solutions available on the market. As I mentioned above, technology experts are constantly working to find the best resolutions according to the demands.

Honestly, the most effective solution to protect against attacks is always the same: prevention.

Don't leave it to chance, and don't be part of the group of people who believe they will never fall into the hands of a cybercriminal because they are not directly connected to anything that can offer a big reward. We are all susceptible to falling for scams.

The internet and social networks can be safe environments... as long as you understand the risks and adopt security measures to mitigate the dangers. Always remember that.