On June 5th, popular Indian comedian and YouTuber Tanmay Bhat experienced a worrisome incident when his social media accounts were compromised. He immediately reached out to YouTube and Google for assistance, expressing his distress on Twitter. Bhat revealed that his YouTube and Gmail accounts had been hacked, with the hacker managing to bypass the two-factor authentication security measures. Bhat’s YouTube account, which boasts an impressive 4.4 million followers, was even renamed Tesla Corp. This incident was not an isolated one, as other Indian YouTubers and comedians, including Aishwarya Mohanraj and Abdu Rozik, also fell victim to similar attacks.
In a similar turn of events, Linus Sebastian, the creator of the popular YouTube channel Linus Tech Tips, experienced a massive breach earlier in March. Hackers were able to livestream fraudulent cryptocurrency scam videos, modify channel names, and even delete existing videos. Sebastian, after regaining control of his accounts, took to the video sharing platform to explain how the hacker had managed to bypass the two-factor authentication protections. These incidents highlight the growing threat to social media influencers and the need to prioritize cybersecurity.
Social media has become an integral part of our lives, providing influencers with a powerful platform to engage with their audience and build their personal brands. However, beneath the surface of seemingly effortless “influencing” lies the daunting challenge of building a loyal fan base and understanding the intricacies of social media algorithms. Unfortunately, along with the rise of social media influencers, there has also been an increase in cyber incidents targeting them.
A compromised social media account can have grave consequences, jeopardizing an influencer’s online brand. As we commemorate Social Media Awareness Day, it is crucial to focus on the cybersecurity practices that influencers should adopt to protect their brand and maintain a secure online environment. By being aware of the potential risks and taking proactive measures, influencers can safeguard their online presence and ensure the longevity of their hard-earned success.
Social Media Awareness Day, celebrated on June 30th, serves as an occasion to raise awareness and understanding about the various aspects of social media. It encourages people to reflect on important topics such as digital citizenship, online safety, privacy considerations, prevention of cyberbullying, and the influence of social media on diverse aspects of our lives. This day prompts individuals around the world to follow best practices, encouraging responsible behavior in the digital arena.
The significance of social media cybersecurity cannot be overstated, particularly for social media influencers. Rob May, the founder of cybersecurity business Ramsac, emphasizes the importance of safeguarding personal information and protecting users from online threats and data breaches. To minimize the chances of falling victim to cyber-attacks on social media, users must adopt strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and regularly update their privacy settings. Social media platforms themselves also play a crucial role in maintaining cybersecurity by implementing robust encryption protocols, monitoring for suspicious activities, and promptly addressing reported security issues.
To secure social media accounts, influencers should prioritize certain practices. Firstly, establishing strong passwords for all their accounts is essential. Influencers should create unique and complex passwords, incorporating a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Moreover, enabling two-factor authentication provides an additional layer of security. It requires a secondary verification factor, such as a unique code sent to a mobile device, making it significantly harder for hackers to gain unauthorized access.
Regularly updating social media applications and devices is vital for cybersecurity. Developers release software updates and patches to address vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. By keeping their apps and devices up-to-date, influencers minimize the risk of falling victim to known security flaws.
Phishing attacks remain a significant threat to influencers. Hackers often impersonate legitimate organizations or individuals, sending deceptive emails to trick influencers into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. Exercising caution when opening emails, particularly those requesting personal information or containing suspicious attachments or links, is crucial. It is always advisable to verify the legitimacy of emails by double-checking the sender’s address or contacting the organization directly.
Influencers should also regularly review and adjust their social media privacy settings. Limiting the visibility of personal information, such as contact details, birthdates, and location, can help prevent unauthorized access or identity theft. It is also essential to pay attention to third-party app permissions. Social media platforms often integrate with these apps to enhance functionality and provide additional features. However, granting excessive permissions to these apps can pose security risks. It is advisable for influencers to periodically review unnecessary permissions granted to third-party applications.
Prioritizing secure Wi-Fi networks when accessing social media accounts on-the-go is crucial. Public Wi-Fi networks are often unencrypted, making it easier for hackers to intercept transmitted data. Utilizing a virtual private network (VPN) adds an extra layer of encryption, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure.
Lastly, regularly backing up social media content is essential for influencers. In the event of a security breach or account compromise, having backups ensures that valuable content can be restored. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube offer features for downloading data, including posts, videos, and audience insights. Additionally, maintaining local copies of important content helps prevent complete loss in unforeseen circumstances.
In conclusion, as influencers continue to thrive in the digital landscape, maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture becomes increasingly crucial. By implementing the cybersecurity practices mentioned above, influencers can protect their online brand, maintain trust with their audience, and mitigate the risks associated with cyber threats. As we observe Social Media Awareness Day, let us emphasize the importance of cybersecurity and responsible online behavior in creating a safe and secure digital community.