Scam-free tweets: protecting yourself from Twitter phishing
Who doesn’t love a good Twitter scroll (or should I say X-scroll)? Whether you're catching up on Elon Musk's latest space escapades or laughing at the latest celebrity meme, X has become the go-to for everything newsworthy and viral. But with great power (and a massive user base) comes great responsibility—and a horde of scammers looking to rain on our tweet parade. Enter the latest phishing on Twitter scam: cybercriminals posing as X-officials to trick you into thinking your account is under investigation for copyright violations. Wild, right?
The FTC reported that people lost a staggering $2.7 billion to scams on social media—way more than any other method of contact.
In this article, we'll deep-dive into the fundamentals of the new Twitter phishing scam, break down how it works, and, most importantly, show you how Guardio can keep you safe. Buckle up it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
Phishing scams stealing your peace of mind?
Watch out for this sneaky phishing scam imitating @X 👇 https://t.co/vuhiJccOpU
— Guardio (@GuardioSecurity) June 3, 2024
Twitter phishing scams
Twitter, now rebranded as X, frequently falls prey to scammers, thanks to its vast user base and real-time communication features. Cybercriminals exploit the platform's trust and legitimacy, crafting convincing fake alerts and messages to deceive users into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links. They impersonate celebrities and official accounts, sending urgent notifications about security issues or copyright violations to lure unsuspecting victims. This brings us to the latest phishing on Twitter hustle: the copyright violation scam.
How the Twitter phishing scam works
Copyright violation phishing attacks aren't a new thing and have been happening on Instagram for years, but now they have made their way into X. Picture receiving a private message on X, supposedly from the X Help Center. The message reads something like, "Your account is currently under investigation for copyright violations." To add that urgency vibe, the message says that you must respond within 24 hours. The message even includes a handy link for you to click on to resolve the issue. The communication looks so legit that to the untrained eye, receiving it would seem totally believable and alarming, especially if you use X often and have a mass following. The 24-hour time limit really plays on your emotions, adding social engineering to flavor it up.
Once you click the link, you're taken to a fake X login page that looks just like the real deal. You enter your credentials—guess what happens next? If you guessed that you've logged in to your account, then you're totally wrong. The sad truth is that you’ve just handed your login info to the scammer. They can now hijack your account, change your password, and lock you out. Or even worse, they can use your account to phish your contacts and followers. If you use the same password for other accounts or use social credentials to log in elsewhere, you're left wide open to even more hacks. It's a nightmare—your online accounts, finances, and even your identity are at stake.
Steps to protect yourself from social media phishing
Securing your social media accounts is an important step in preventing identity theft and other cyber threats. Here are some tips to keep your account safe:
Enabling multi-factor authentication
Activate multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your Twitter account to add an extra layer of security. With MFA, you'll need to provide two more forms of verification (like as a code sent to your phone and face recognition) in addition to your password. This makes it much harder for scammers to access your account, even if they manage to steal your password.
Regularly updating your password
Change your Twitter password regularly and ensure it’s strong and unique. Avoid using easily guessable passwords like "123456" or "password." A strong password typically includes a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. Using a password manager can help you keep track of your complex passwords.
Reviewing connected apps and permissions
Periodically review the apps and services connected to your Twitter account. Revoke access to any that you no longer use or that seem suspicious. This helps limit the number of potential entry points for scammers and ensures that only trusted services have access to your account.
Using cybersecurity software software
Use cybersecurity software like Guardio to protect you from Twitter phishing scams. Guardio blocks fake links and dangerous websites, so even if you do fall for one of these scams and click a link, Guardio will immediately block the sketchy site. This keeps your accounts, finances, and identity safe.
Here’s how Guardio can help:
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Blocking fake websites and dodgy X login pages
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Stopping dangerous links
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Flagging phishing emails and texts
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One account protects up to 5 family members
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Keeping your information safe from data breaches 24/7
What to do if you suspect your account has been compromised
Change your password immediately: If you think your account has been hacked, the first step is to change your password to prevent further unauthorized access.
Revoke access to suspicious apps: Go through your list of connected apps and remove any that you don’t recognize or trust.
Enable multi-factor authentication: If you haven’t already, set up MFA to add an extra layer of security.
Contact Twitter Support: Report the issue to Twitter’s Help Center for further assistance and guidance on securing your account.
Check other accounts: If you use the same password for other accounts, change those passwords too, and monitor for any suspicious activity.
The bottom line
Scammers are always looking for new ways to rain on our Twitter parade, but by applying these phishing on Twitter detection methods and tips, you can keep your account safe. Whether it’s enabling multi-factor authentication, regularly updating your password, or using cybersecurity software like Guardio, protecting yourself is key. So, next time you’re scrolling through X, rest easy knowing you’ve got the tools to outsmart the scammers.
