In the News
Facebook’s Instagram is taking steps to increase resilience against phishing attacks. In Instagram introduces new tool to help prevent phishing attacks, Jon Porter at The Verge discusses how Instagram users will now be able to verify if an email they received is actually from Instagram or if it could potentially be a malicious phishing attempt. Porter explains that in the Security settings of the Instagram app, you will now be able to see a full list of all the official emails sent by the platform to cross–reference any emails that you received personally. Porter furthers that this move comes in the wake of the increase of phishing attempts across emails and social media platforms.
Our Take
Phishing emails have the potential to appear incredibly legitimate and thus prey on victims in a very damaging and widespread way. It is especially difficult to notice a sophisticated phishing email if it seems to be from a reputable company. Instagram’s decision to publicize exactly when it sent out emails provides users with a way to verify if an email that seems to be from Instagram is actually from them or not. While it still does require users to cross-reference the timing of the emails themselves, the process is user–friendly. Phishing emails have the potential not just to cause your personal information to be compromised, but your finances as well. You may not be able to identify a phishing email every time, but for now, if you get an email from Instagram, be sure to check to see if it is legitimate and reduce the risk of having your personal information exposed through a phishing attack.
Recommendations
How can you protect yourself against online scams and phishing attacks?
- Be cautious when using social media platforms…not all users have good intentions
- Avoid clicking directly on links, whether in email or social media – always search through your search engine to verify legitimacy and find the appropriate site
- Limit the number of accounts that have access to your financial payment option
- Check your email, business accounts, and credit reports regularly for abnormal activities
- Stay up to date on the news regarding recent fraud and phishing attacks to see if you may have been affected