Deceptively real-looking phishing emails in the name of Instagram have recently been doing the rounds - you can easily check their authenticity with our tips and secure your profile against attacks.
Access data to Instagram accounts is very popular with cybercriminals
When you think of phishing, you usually think of the theft of personal data and in particular the “fishing” of credit card or access data to your mailbox or online banking. But social media accounts are also very popular with cybercriminals. Because their access data can easily be turned into money - be it through sale, fraud or by blackmailing the legitimate account holder.
Fraudsters are currently increasingly targeting Instagram accounts .
Phishing emails put recipients under pressure to take action
Cyber fraudsters most often rely on phishing emails to get access data , because Instagram itself only contacts users via email. In the deceptively real-looking emails, recipients are asked to follow a link to a website in order to enter their data and position there, alleged violation of the platform's guidelines to take to the incident. is deliberately built up , on the one hand through the feigned violation and on the other hand through the threat that the profile will be deleted promptly if the request is not complied with.
Check emails from Instagram for authenticity
First of all: under no circumstances allow yourself to be put under pressure!
Before you open a link in the email, check the supposed email from Instagram for authenticity:
- To do this, log in to your account directly – never use the link in the email! – or open the app
- Open Settings.
- Under “Security/Emails from Instagram” you can view the sender, subject and send date of the emails that Instagram has sent you in the last 14 days.
- Compare this data with that of the email you received.
How to secure your account against attacks
- Use a strong password. (Information about this: HERE ) Use this password only for this account.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) or on Instagram: “Two-factor authentication”. Activation in the app via the settings under “Security” and on the website via “Privacy and Security”.
- Complete the security check to use the recommendations to increase the security of your Instagram account. You can also find this in the security settings.
- Keep your password secret. In particular, never pass on a security or one-time code for two-factor authentication.
Source:
Police advice
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