Executive Summary
Social media websites serve as platforms for global interaction and the sharing of ideas but are simultaneously a platform frequently leveraged by cyber threat actors. Cyber threat actors target social media accounts in takeover attempts, with the goal of posting fictitious or embarrassing information.
Cyber threat actors may also use personally identifiable information (PII) posted by you or friends to build a profile about you, including your identity, location, relationships, and affiliations.
This information makes you more susceptible to doxing, identity theft, spear phishing emails, virtual blackmail, or potential physical threats. In addition, there are several scams which target the friends, family, and co-workers of a compromised account, and may result in financial loss or account compromise for additional victims.
Appropriate usage of social media accounts and implementing proper security procedures is the best way to protect against these threats.
