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Dangers Of LinkedIn: 4 Security Features To Use TODAY

A recent report from Check Point Research has unveiled a startling statistic: LinkedIn, the Microsoft-owned business platform, is impersonated in nearly half of all phishing attacks worldwide.

Scammers often exploit LinkedIn by targeting individuals seeking new job opportunities or career changes. While emails with subject lines like "You have 1 new invitation" or "Your profile has been viewed by 63 people" may appear legitimate, it's crucial to verify the sender's email address to confirm it's genuinely from LinkedIn. These impersonators craft emails that closely mimic authentic ones, directing recipients to fake LinkedIn pages designed to steal their information upon entry.

Another tactic employed by cybercriminals involves creating fake LinkedIn profiles and messaging users about job opportunities. Once they have engaged their targets, they may request a small upfront payment to process an application—money that will never be seen again—or provide a link to a form that is, in reality, a phishing site.

LinkedIn is aware of these issues and is actively working on enhancing its security measures to protect its users. Here are three security features it has already implemented:

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1. Suspicious Message Warnings - LinkedIn's technology can identify messages from individuals trying to move conversations off the platform or making potentially inappropriate comments, and it will send you a warning notification.

2. Profile Verification - This feature enables you to authenticate your page's legitimacy. By providing an extra form of identification, you can obtain a verification badge for your profile, ensuring that viewers can trust your identity. This is particularly valuable as scammers frequently target new victims and their pages are often swiftly deactivated, meaning they rarely maintain current information.

3. Profile Information - This feature enables you to view the details of someone's profile, aiding you in deciding whether to respond to a message, accept a connection request, trust an offer, and more. To access this information, go to your profile, click on "More", and choose "About this profile" from the drop-down menu. You'll then see details such as:

● Date of profile creation.

● Date of last profile update.

● Phone number verification status.

● Presence of a work email linked to the account.

4. AI-Generated Profile Picture Detection - Scammers are increasingly using AI to create lifelike profile pictures of non-existent individuals, which are then used to set up fake profiles for fraudulent activities. Alarming research from LinkedIn revealed that users often struggle to differentiate between genuine and AI-generated faces. To combat this issue, LinkedIn has collaborated with academic institutions to develop and implement sophisticated detection tools. These advanced features enable LinkedIn to identify and remove AI-generated profile pictures, effectively shutting down fake profiles before they can cause any harm.

Do you rely on LinkedIn to search for jobs, hire employees, or attract clients? While it's an excellent business resource, maintaining security is crucial. LinkedIn's features offer initial protection, but they are just the beginning. If someone in your organization were to fall for a scam and click on a malicious link, would your internal security measures be robust enough to safeguard your network?

We can help you find out. We'll do a FREE Security Risk Assessment to help you determine if your network is vulnerable to any type of attack. To book yours, call us at 802-331-1900 or click here to book now.