Kaspersky experts note the increase in attempts at phishing scams that impersonate Google services. Experts explain that there was an 2023 percent increase in initiatives around the world in January 2022 compared to December 189. This increase is expected to continue.
Google's YouTube The video platform has become a hunting platform used by scammers who want to reach their targets quickly. Kaspersky experts have observed a form of scam in which attackers gain access to popular vlog publishers' accounts for this purpose, changing the account's background and profile avatar, and then posting their own videos. These phishing pages are designed to persuade unsuspecting users to provide their credentials, to allow attackers to gain access to multiple users and accounts in the company's ecosystem.
Youtube Video Content is Abused in Crypto Scams!
Videos of this type, which exploit the already existing broadcast with Elon Musk on cryptocurrencies, are used to entice viewers to follow the QR code displayed on the screen. The link behind the QR code points to a scam attempt that claims to host cryptocurrency raffles but puts users' money and personal data at risk.
Kaspersky security expert Roman Dedenok noted:
“Phishing attacks continue to evolve and become more sophisticated. Cybercriminals use popular online services like Google to trick users into providing their personal information. YouTube The increased use of video content for malicious purposes, as evidenced by this latest crypto scam on Twitter, adds another layer of deception, making it harder for users to distinguish between what is real and what is not. Users' use of strong passwords to secure their accounts and data, enabling two-factor authentication and opting for reliable security solutions stand out as proactive steps to be taken.”
Kaspersky experts also recommend the following to protect yourself from such threats:
“Use strong and unique passwords. Create strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts. Choose combinations of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols to create a hard-to-guess password.
Use two factor authentication. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by mandating a second form of authentication with the help of a code sent to your phone in addition to your password, or a password you'll receive through the authentication app.
Be wary of suspicious emails and messages. Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown senders. Be wary of messages that ask for your login credentials or personal information.
Use a good security solution. Get help from trusted security solutions to protect your device against malware and phishing attacks. Make sure you keep the software up to date and run regular scans.
Verify the authenticity of the sources. Verify the authenticity of websites and resources before clicking on links or entering any personal information. Be wary of suspicious-looking websites or unfamiliar domains.”