Ever picked up on that little blue checkmark next to your favorite Insta-celeb? What does it mean?
The checkmark identifies that this person has provided documentation to verify their identity. Verification helps you discern an authentic account from a fake account. Although celebs use it often–it’s really a tool for everyone.
Whether you have a personal social media account or manage one for your organization, being verified can be a great benefit.
To become verified, you are required to provide sensitive information which, sadly, makes the whole process a perfect lure for a phishing attack.
The Scam
Cybercriminals spoof popular social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube by sending out fake verification emails. The emails include a link that, when clicked, takes you to a convincing verification form. Here you’ll be asked for things like your username, organization, password, gender, and more. Anything entered on this page is sent directly to the scammers.
According to Knowbe4, avoid the fraudulent verification scam with these tips:
If you need help with cybersecurity services contact DarkHound SecOps at [email protected].