Cybersecurity experts warn of social media risks and phishing scams

Cybersecurity experts are warning of increasing risks associated with personal data exposure on social media and through sophisticated phishing attacks. Cybersecurity firm ESET notes that sharing details such as vacation plans, location data, exam documents, and family photos can provide cybercriminals with the necessary information to build detailed profiles for identity theft and targeted attacks.

Experts advise against posting vacation plans in real-time to prevent alerting criminals that homes are empty, suggesting instead that travel photos be shared after returning. Additionally, sharing workplace information can compromise corporate security through social engineering.

In a separate but related trend, a new wave of phishing attacks is targeting users by impersonating official notification systems, such as the National Electronic Notification System (UETS). These fraudulent emails use official logos and mimic court or notary notifications to trick users into clicking malicious links. Once users enter their credentials on fake government portals, cybercriminals gain access to sensitive data, including bank accounts and identity information, which can then be used for fraudulent activities.