CYBER crooks have found another trick to dupe people into sharing their login details.
This time scammers are using fake copyright notices to get into accounts.
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Although so-called phishing attempts are nothing new, security experts at Sophos warn that bad actors are getting better at making them more believable.
In this case, the fraudster sends you a false report and gives you an opportunity to appeal.
Copyright notices are commonplace on social media, especially for things like videos from movie scenes and even music in the background can cause a post to be removed.
The alert can easily cause a sense of panic and some may be too quick to jump on the solution without thinking twice.
“We recently received a complaint about a post on your Instagram,” the message reads.
“Your post has been reported as infringing copyright.
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“Your account will be removed if no objection is made to the copyrighted work.
“If you think this determination is incorrect, please fill out the objection form from the link below.”
The link leads you to a dodgy site which asks you to login.
It’ll claim you entered your password wrong and ask you to type it again, in a sneaky attempt to make sure they definitely have the right details.
Users are then shown a message which says their appeal has successfully been submitted, before redirecting them to the real Instagram site.
Links that appear to be helpful are a common tactic used by cybercriminals.
Experts suggest users always think before clicking, and consider using a password manager and two-factor authentication whenever possible.
“Social media credentials are worth more than you might think,” warned Paul Ducklin, senior technologist at Sophos.
“First, the crooks get control of an account without having to set a new one up (which takes a lot longer than it used to, especially compared to sending out zillions of similar emails and waiting to see what happens).
“Second, it gives them direct and believable access to promote dodgy investments and so on to your friends and family.”
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In other news, Apple has become the first company to hit a stock market valuation of $3trillion (£2.22trillion).
Popular Twitch creator Sliker has been banned from the platform after sharing nude imagery of fellow streamer Amouranth.
And internet users have been urged to check their online accounts against one of 2021’s worst cyber threats.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
