It’s one of the most popular apps in the world, but if you use Instagram, make sure you’re on the lookout for a new scam message.
Researchers from Trend Micro have warned of a new scam message that’s circulating and tries to trick you into handing over your personal details.
The message is circulating via Instagram’s direct messaging feature, and warns you that a copyright violation complaint has been filed against your account.
It adds that your account is now at risk of being delete, and provides a link which masquerades as an appeal form, but is actually a phishing link.
The fake message reads: “Hello User! The post you shared in your account has been complained by the owner of the post because of copyright, so we need to send you this message.
(Image: Trend Micro)
“We have provided you with an appeal form. You can appeal the deletion of your account by filling out this form.
“If not appeal is received within 48 hours, your account will be permanently deleted.”
If you open the link, you’ll be taken to a page where you’ll be asked to provide your username.
Once you select ‘Next’, another screen appears, this time asking for more information including name, password, email and email password.
If you fill these details in and continue, the page redirects to the legitimate Instagram login page, giving the illusion that the form you’ve filled out is officially connected to Instagram.
(Image: Trend Micro)
Trend Micro explained: “At this point, the hacker can commence taking over the account. The credentials harvested from the phishing link will now be used to change the email linked to the account.
“The original user will receive an email informing them that the email address linked to their Instagram account has been changed. However, since the hackers already have a hold of the user’s email credentials, they can also take control of the original owner’s email.”
Based on the findings, the researchers are urging Instagram users to be vigilant about their cybersecurity.
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How to keep your Instagram account safe
Trend Micro advises that Instagram users should follow these simple steps to keep their accounts safe:
– Be cautious of seemingly legitimate sites that request account credentials for another site
– Set up two-factor authentication
– Never open links or download attachments from suspicious sources
– Examine message content for ungrammatical constructions and spelling mistakes
– Inspect the emails used to send messages
– Be wary of messages requesting personal information and credentials
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