LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with an estimated 810 million members worldwide! Unfortunately, for scammers, this has provided an enormous pool of possible victims, particularly over the past year. So, what do you need to know?
Here’s an overview of common LinkedIn phishing scams and how to improve your email protection.
What is phishing?
Phishing is a common tactic used by scammers. The process involves posing as a trustworthy body or individual with the aim of gaining sensitive information such as passwords, banking information or usernames.
In LinkedIn’s case, scammers send a fake email pretending to be the site. This can be incredibly hard to detect which is why email protection is essential for blocking suspicious emails that may look harmless at first glance.
How does a LinkedIn phishing attack work?
Social media phishing attacks aren’t new but an influx of LinkedIn spam means users should be mindful when receiving emails from the company.
There are several techniques that have been used to lure LinkedIn members into clicking phishing emails. Most commonly, you will receive an email from ‘LinkedIn’ notifying you that someone has viewed your profile or you have a message request. However, there may be a few tell-tale signs that something isn’t quite right such as spelling mistakes, strange formatting and although the email may appear to be from LinkedIn, the actual address may have someone else’s name.
What happens when you click the link?
If you click the link in these kinds of phishing emails you may be taken to a false LinkedIn login page or another site – this is when malware can access your computer. If you’re unsure if an email is legit then do a few extra steps before proceeding:
- Log into LinkedIn from the official app or website to check your notifications.
- Look for inconsistencies such as spelling errors, wrong logos or unusual requests.
- Make sure you have email protection installed on your computer.
- Delete any messages that you don’t trust.
At MailCleaner, our specially designed anti-spam software is designed to keep your email network safe. If you’ve already experienced a phishing attack or you simply want to improve your online security, we’re here to help. Learn more about the benefits of our software and get in touch with us today.