How to protect yourself from Social Media Phishing

Phishing has existed for many years and, despite increased public awareness of common scams, it remains one of the most effective ways for cybercriminals to steal money or trick individuals into disclosing sensitive personal information.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, attackers constantly refine their techniques to reach wider audiences. One of the most profitable developments in recent years has been the rise of social media phishing, which exploits the trust and engagement users place in social networking platforms.

With over 3 billion social media users worldwide, these platforms offer criminals a vast and lucrative hunting ground for launching phishing attacks at scale. While traditional email-based phishing remains highly effective, social media phishing allows criminals to blend seamlessly into online communities. By researching victims quietly and exploiting familiar environments, attackers can launch targeted scams that often go unnoticed.

These attacks are particularly successful because users tend to be more relaxed and trusting on social platforms, making them less likely to question suspicious links or messages than they would in emails.

Most Common Social Media Phishing Scams

Fake customer service accounts – Social media has transformed how customers interact with brands, with many turning directly to official pages for support. Cybercriminals exploit this by creating fake support accounts that impersonate well-known brands. Studies show that 19% of accounts claiming to represent top brands are fraudulent.

Fake comments on popular posts – Trending stories and viral posts attract large audiences. Scammers take advantage by posting deceptive comments containing malicious links. Clicking these links can redirect users to a phishing website or infect devices with malware.

Fake online discounts – Offers that seem too good to be true usually are. Attackers create fake pages mimicking trusted brands and advertise false promotions designed to harvest personal or financial data.

Fake trending videos – Scammers often exploit emotional or sensational topics to lure users into clicking video links. These typically prompt users to download a “required” plug-in, which is actually malicious software.

How to Avoid Social Media Phishing Scams

To stay safe from social media phishing attacks, users should follow these essential security practices:

• Never accept friend requests from unknown users – Fake profiles are common, so always verify connections before accepting requests.
• Avoid clicking links requesting personal information – Legitimate platforms will never ask you to update sensitive details via a link. When in doubt, visit the official support page directly.
• Use unique login credentials for each account – This limits damage if one account becomes compromised by a phishing scam.
• Only enter information on secure websites – Always check for “https” in the URL to ensure encrypted communication.
• Install anti-virus software – Security software helps detect and block malware and unauthorised access.
• Keep operating systems up to date – Regular updates fix known vulnerabilities that attackers may exploit.
• Use enhanced privacy settings – Restrict what others can view on your social profiles and review settings regularly.

Learn More About MetaCompliance Solutions

As social media phishing continues to rise, organisations must take proactive steps to reduce human risk and strengthen their cyber defences. MetaCompliance provides a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to help organisations combat phishing attacks, educate employees, and build long-term cyber resilience.

Our Human Risk Management Platform encompasses:

• Automated Security Awareness
• Advanced Phishing Simulations
• Risk Intelligence & Analytics
• Compliance Management

To discover how MetaCompliance can help protect your organisation from evolving social media phishing threats, contact us today to book a demo.