Angler phishing is a type of targeted phishing attack that uses social media platforms to trick victims. Attackers create fake accounts that mimic legitimate company or customer representative accounts. They then interact with potential victims, offering to solve their issues and in the process trick them into revealing personal information.
Example:
Dennis posts a complaint on Twitter about his PayPal account being blocked. Mariah creates a fake PayPal customer support account and responds to Dennis’ tweet, posing as a customer care agent. Thinking it’s a legitimate response, Dennis engages with Mariah’s fake account and unknowingly discloses personal information. Mariah, the attacker, uses the information gathered from Dennis to steal money from his PayPal account.
Prevention Tips:
- Verify the legitimacy of social media accounts by checking contact information from the company’s official website.
- Don’t share personal information or click on suspicious links on social media platforms.
- Be cautious of unsolicited messages on social media, even if they appear to come from a familiar brand.