A recent report from Check Point Research has unveiled a startling fact: LinkedIn, the business platform owned by Microsoft, is impersonated in nearly half of all phishing attacks worldwide.
Scammers exploit LinkedIn in various ways to execute phishing attacks, especially targeting users seeking job opportunities or career changes. Emails with subjects like “You have 1 new invitation” or “Your profile has been viewed by 63 people” may seem genuine. Still, it’s crucial to verify the sender’s email address to ensure its legitimately from LinkedIn. These imposters send emails that closely mimic legitimate ones, often directing recipients to fake LinkedIn pages designed to steal personal information as soon as they enter it.
Another tactic cybercriminals employ involves creating fake profiles and contacting individuals under the guise of job offers. Once engaged, they might request an upfront payment or prompt the victim to fill out a form that’s a disguised phishing link.
LinkedIn acknowledges these risks and has implemented advanced security features to protect its users. Here are four current security measures you should leverage:
- Suspicious Message Warnings: LinkedIn’s technology detects messages that attempt to move conversations off-platform or contain potentially inappropriate content, issuing warning notifications to users.
- Profile Verification: Users can verify their profiles by submitting additional identification documents to obtain a verification badge. This badge helps reassure others of the profile’s authenticity, a critical defense against scammers who frequently create and quickly abandon fake profiles.
- Profile Information: Access detailed profile insights to make informed decisions about responding to messages or accepting connection requests. By selecting “More” under your profile and choosing “About this profile,” you can view creation and update dates, verified phone numbers, and associated work emails.
- AI-Generated Profile Picture Detection: LinkedIn collaborates with Academia to employ advanced detection technologies capable of identifying AI-generated profile pictures used by scammers. This proactive approach helps LinkedIn shut down fraudulent profiles before they cause harm.
Are you using LinkedIn for recruitment, networking, or business purposes? While it offers significant opportunities, maintaining security is paramount. However, LinkedIn’s built-in features are just the first layer of defense. If a member of your team were to fall victim to a scam and click on a malicious link, would your internal security measures adequately protect your network?
To assess your network’s vulnerability to various threats, we offer a complimentary Security Risk Assessment. Contact us at (973) 828-0488 or click www.ibsre.com to schedule your assessment today.
Stay vigilant and secure on LinkedIn – safeguarding your business starts with proactive cybersecurity practices, even on social platforms designed for professional networking.