Whenever we take part in social media, we must be aware of social phishing. Social phishing occurs when people use social media accounts – such as Facebook– to obtain sensitive personal information. If you own a business, phishers can go after your customer information by pretending to be you. They may also attempt to get your clients to click on malicious links. In fact, it is the latter that makes social media particularly attractive to those up to no good: people are much more likely to click a link that appears on social media than they are one sent via email.
Phishing itself isn’t a new concept – back in the “olden days” scammers got creative. With few computers and no social media, they used the telephone to get people to give out their credit card numbers. Some even stole credit card applications out of mailboxes. Social media certainly didn’t invent phishing, but it made it much more convenient.
Knowing all this, how can you protect your company and your customers from these types of scams? Consider the following:
Keep your ear to the ground
One of the best ways to catch phishers is to up your awareness: if you have a company and you use social media, you’re at risk. Look for any suspicious activity using tools like Google Alerts. This service alerts you whenever someone mentions you online.
Report the fraudsters
If you catch someone impersonating your company, don’t brush it under the rug: report them. First, notify the social media platform of the suspicious activity. Then, put your tax dollars to work and tell the government. The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center makes reporting easy – you can file online.
Use HTTPS
Taking your website from an HTTP to an HTTPS offers more security. It allows users to access your website while keeping their information and their actions private. This provides users more confidence when visiting your site (which will help the flow of traffic, as well).
Practice good social media
Your social media manager should know the dangers of phishing – what to look for and what to avoid. But don’t stop there: make sure everyone on staff knows how to protect your company. To start, each employee must be privy to your social media handles (so they can spot the fake ones). You should also update your logins regularly and implement a “no-click” policy that asks your staff not to click on any link they receive online. Not even if it’s from Nana.
Social phishing is part of the world we live in. Proactivity and awareness can help you avoid becoming a victim. If you need assistance with social media and other types of marketing, contact us today to get started.