Key Takeaways
- Malware on social media can spread through deceptive ads, scam posts, and phishing links.
- Beware of offers that seem too good to be true, examine links carefully, and avoid downloading apps from social media ads.
- Also, watch out for fake profiles with stolen photos, minimal engagement, and grammatical errors to protect yourself from malware.
We all scroll through our social media feeds, commenting on posts, liking photos, and clicking ads without a second thought. But while using social media like this feels harmless, it’s not always as safe as it seems and can put you at risk of falling victim to cybersecurity threats like malware.
How Malware Reaches You on Facebook and Instagram
Social media platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, have billions of users. Unfortunately, this makes them prime hunting grounds for cybercriminals. The large user base and the anonymity these platforms provide give hackers ample opportunities to spread malware. From what I’ve seen, these are the most common ways malware spreads on social media platforms:
1. Deceptive Ads Redirecting to Harmful Websites
It’s not uncommon to see ads as you scroll through your feed, and clicking on them will usually take you to another business’ website or page. While most of these ads are posted by legit businesses looking to engage with new and existing customers, hackers also post ads to lure unsuspecting victims. These malicious ads redirect you to fake/scammy websites and either steal your credentials or download malware onto your device.
2. Scam Posts Embedded with Malware
Cybercriminals might also impersonate celebrities, brands, or even people you know and share posts from fake or compromised accounts to trick you. You might accidentally download malware when you click or interact with these posts.
3. Phishing Links Shared in Messages
Hackers might also send you messages with phishing links that take you to malicious websites. The message might appear to come from a trusted source—either a business or someone you know—making it easy for you to fall victim to the scam.
As you may have guessed, malware can lurk in several different forms online. Here are a few things I do to keep an eye out for malware when using social media platforms.
1. Beware of Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers
Ever come across an ad promising you free cash, gifts, or deep discounts? You might want to keep your guard up when you see such ads because there’s a good chance you’re dealing with a cybercriminal.
I’m not saying every promotional ad is a scam, but those that advertise offers that seem a little too good to be true usually are. Be sure to familiarize yourself with ways to identify scam ads so you don’t fall victim to one and accidentally end up downloading malware.
2. Examine Links Carefully
If you receive a link to another website or service, examine it carefully before you click it. If the link is from a legitimate source, the URL will match the official domain name of the brand. Instead, if you spot spelling errors or odd characters in the URL, it’s best to avoid clicking it.
3. Ignore Requests/Ads to Download Third-Party Apps
If you need to download an app, it’s best to do so from the official website or via the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Avoid downloading apps through ads you see on social media, since they could very well just install malware on your device, rather than the app itself.
4. Watch Out for Fake Profiles
Cybercriminals often use fake or compromised accounts of other people or brands to spread malware and other scams. There are several other ways to spot fake profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites.
However, stolen photos, minimal engagement on posts, and posts ridden with spelling and grammatical errors are some of the most obvious signs to watch out for.
Social media malware may be on the rise, but the best way to protect yourself and your online security is to stay vigilant and watch out for these red flags.
