Social media networks like Facebook and Twitter are increasing in popularity every day, but so is the presence of malicious scammers. They craft captivating posts that draw users into clicking on them, thus exposing sensitive information or allowing malware/viruses to infiltrate their devices.
Consumers must be wary when browsing social media platforms as these cybercriminals’ tactics become more sophisticated. It is essential to know what these threats are and how they work. In addition, by using Guardio protection for clickbait ads, users can add an extra layer of protection while browsing the web. This blog post will teach you how to avoid clickbait scams
on social media.
What are social media clickbait scams?
Social media clickbait scams are malicious ads or posts masquerading as legitimate offers. They can come in the form of a pop–up advertisement, fake news story, sponsored post, survey, or even a real account pretending to be someone they’re not. These scams all have one goal: to entice you with an exciting offer and get your personal information or money in exchange.
How do these scammers operate?
Scammers thrive on enticing victims with captivating and convincing headlines such as “Receive $500 for completing this survey!” or “Transform your life with this product!”. When lured individuals click the link, they are
asked to fill out a form or purchase the item. In reality, these offers are not real; the user is just giving away their personal information or money for nothing in return.
Another common way of clickbait on social media is giveaways. According to the Better Business Bureau, scammers behind these fraudulent sweepstakes aim for high likes and shares to draw more attention. Once they have achieved
their goal, they will edit their post with malicious links that can be downloaded onto victims’ devices if clicked on. Due to the immense popularity of these posts, they become even more alluring to unsuspecting victims. The sheer number of likes on each post is often enough to convince people who otherwise would not have clicked them, making them ideal target scammers and fraudsters.
How can you protect yourself from social media clickbait scams?
In the digital age, we have been constantly exposed to the potential of scams and malicious landmines. To safeguard you and your loved ones from these clickbait snares, you must stay informed and take preventive measures. Here’s how:
1. Steer clear of headlines claiming exclusive, surprising, or “unbelievable” news stories or videos. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is –so steer away from those clickbait titles that reek of gossipy content.
2. Keeping up with online content daily can be impossible. For the best defense against malware and viruses, invest in top–notch security software that will give you comprehensive protection.
3. To protect yourself online, steer clear of suspicious websites that prompt you to click links, finish a survey or download extra plug–ins. When browsing the web, always check for an ‘S’ in HTTPS—the “S” presents that the site is secure and safeguarded from potential threats.
4. Under no circumstances should you provide personal information, banking details, or passwords to untrustworthy websites. It is of the utmost importance that these credentials remain confidential and secure.
5. Today, it is challenging to trust emails, direct messages, posts, or texts from your friends as cybercriminals may have compromised them. These hackers are adept at slipping familiar details into their conversations so that you
instantly drop your guard – pause and take a step back before pressing the like button or sharing any links on news articles, giveaways, or opportunities. Your friend might not even be the one who advised them.
6. Inspect for typos, inadequately developed websites, and incorrectly spelled domains. Before blindly sharing any suspicious article, take the time to dig deeper. Tap a trusted news source to verify what’s being reported in the
the headline and ensure it should be shared.
Conclusion
While not all clickbait scams are malicious, they can still be damaging. Following the tips outlined in this article, you can protect yourself from falling into the traps of fraudulent schemes while browsing social media.