SOCIAL
Watch out for ‘Meta-Phish’: New scam seeks to collect data on Facebook users
Image: — © AFP Anatolii Stepanov
Users of social media have been warned about a new phishing campaign. The cyber-scam uses Facebook posts to trick users into handing over their account credentials and personally identifiable information.
Dubbed Meta-Phish, the scam works by attackers sending fake copyright infringement notices warning Facebook users that their accounts would be deleted within 48 hours unless they appeal the decision.
Users are then diverted to a fake appeal form, which collects key personal data about the user, which can put the unwitting recipient at far greater risk of issues like personal identification data theft. The appeal URL links to an actual Facebook post, allowing the threat actor to evade email security checks and deliver phishing messages to users’ inboxes.
Looking into this latest attempt to utilize technology to defraud others, for Digital Journal, s Tonia Dudley, CISO at Cofense.
Dudley explains why those engaging in such illicit activity have turned to Facebook: “With nearly 2.9 billion monthly active users, Facebook has unfortunately been an active target for scammers seeking to exploit accounts and make financial gains for a long time.”
In terms of the form of attack, Dudley elucidates: “This recent attack is very similar to a December 2020 phishing campaign that tricked users into giving scammers their account credentials for fear that their accounts would be disabled. In this case, scammers alerted users to a copyright infringement issue and linked them to an external “support” site named after Meta to reduce suspicion.”
Going into more detail, Dudley adds: “As is common in many of today’s phishing attacks, a critical component of this particular attack is its lure design. Threat actors play the fear factor in many phishing campaigns, which causes many users to overlook common indicators of a phishing attempt, including an improper tone or greeting, grammar or spelling errors and inconsistencies in email addresses, links and domain names.”
Dudley sees the main responsibility in addressing these attacks as falling with Facebook rather than the user. Dudley states: “To prevent future phishing attacks, organizations like Facebook must take the necessary steps to protect inboxes, detect threats, and respond to an attack.”
Dudley also recommends that the social media giant adopts “actionable intelligence that gives visibility into the risk factors in your network and immediately and decisively responds to phishing threats will help keep malicious actors at bay and ensure the protection of sensitive data.”
SOCIAL
Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?
In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.
The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.
According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.
Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.
Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.
The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.
This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.
Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.
As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?
Only time will tell.
SOCIAL
Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach
While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.
When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.
“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.
Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.
“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.”Â
“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.
“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.
Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.
SOCIAL
Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement
Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.
As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.
That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.
Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.
That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.
Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.
Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.
We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.
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