Do not click on the links from people you do not know!

Pointing out that digital fraud methods have increased with the increase in the use of social media, experts say that especially well-known professionals, media people or people who have popularity with many features are targeted for theft of their accounts. Emphasizing the importance of using strong passwords against account theft, preferring a two-step authentication system and being aware of cyber security, Assoc. Prof. Aylin Tutgun Ünal expressed that "We should not click on the links from people we do not know."

Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Aylin Tutgun Ünal pointed out that with the increase in the use of social media and digital fraud methods have also increased and made warnings on the issue.

Digital fraud on the rise

Assoc. Prof. Aylin Tutgun Ünal stated that "Account Theft" has increased with the increasing use of social media and expressed that "The name of the theft incidents we may encounter in everyday life is now digital fraud! People can be blackmailed with photos, videos or correspondence shared on Instagram, X or any social media application, or large masses are defrauded by promising to make more money by promoting products / marketing with these accounts."

They use the names of people who are seen as opinion leaders to market products that threaten health

Emphasizing that especially well-known professionals, media professionals or people who are popular with many features are targeted, Assoc. Prof. Aylin Tutgun Ünal continued her remarks as follows:

"These people are preferred by the society because they are seen as opinion leaders and are taken as an example with what they do and say. Since it is attractive to address the society through these people and to reach large masses quickly and easily, digital fraudsters take action. By taking over the account or opening accounts similar to the real person profile, they publish some self-interested advice on the person. Therefore, even products that have the potential to threaten people's health can be marketed. As the common fraud methods they use. There are many types that can be counted such as taking advantage by impersonating the person, taking the fee and not delivering the product or job with the promise of providing products/services to the person, taking over the person's account and blackmailing them with their posts or correspondence, creating threats in the person's life by using the information obtained through stalking (secret stalking)."

There are hints that a social media account will be stolen

Stating that there are some parameters that will give clues that a social media account has been stolen or will be stolen, Assoc. Prof. Aylin Tutgun Ünal said that "If it has been stolen, if it is followed by the close environment or large masses, phone calls from followers, returns/feedback from different channels can make us notice. The results can be checked by typing the account name in the Internet browser at regular intervals or by searching with account name / similar account names on social media channels. If there is a possibility of theft, cyber-attacks may occur with URL shortening services such as 'bit.ly' used by fake sites. That is why we should not click on the links from people we do not know.”

Vulnerabilities invite digital fraudsters

Expressing that another opinion about the accounts falling into the hands of digital fraudsters is data leakage, Assoc. Prof. Aylin Tutgun Ünal stated that "It has been mentioned that there has been a data leak on Instagram or Facebook recently. There were also reports of data leaks in many large companies in Türkiye. It can be thought that the seized data, in other words, the hacked data, has the potential to be sold through illegal websites. The data of people or institutions targeted by digital fraudsters can be leaked, either through hacking or other means. Failure to take security measures or security vulnerabilities will invite digital fraudsters."

A criminal complaint must be filed when social media accounts are compromised

Noting that people can apply to the Public Prosecutor's Office or law enforcement agencies in case their social media accounts are seized, Assoc. Prof. Aylin Tutgun Ünal stated that "When a criminal complaint is filed, the prosecutor's office will be notified. In the event that the Instagram account is stolen, or in general terms, the social media account is stolen, the crime of 'Entering the Information System' in Article 243 of the Turkish Penal Code occurs, and other crimes may occur depending on the transactions to be made with the stolen account."

Put strong passwords on your accounts

Noting that it is necessary to set strong passwords to keep social media accounts safe, Assoc. Prof. Aylin Tutgun Ünal expressed that "Passwords that contain complex, numbers, symbols (&, ?, #, !, %, etc.) and uppercase and lowercase letters are difficult for hackers to crack. In particular, passwords that will contain a date of birth and phone number should be avoided. In password contents, '#' and '@' symbols can be preferred. However, it is necessary not to use the same password in many channels used in everyday life, to renew the password at regular intervals and not to tell the password to others. For example, Uskudar34! instead of Usku3dar4! The password is more reliable.”

Do not pay attention to messages like 'Your account has been suspended'!

Stating that being aware of cyber security is becoming increasingly important today, Assoc. Prof. Aylin Tutgun Ünal concluded her remarks as follows: "Digital fraudsters who abuse the benefits of digitalization can easily infiltrate with the open data they have obtained by taking advantage of the carelessness of people without the need for professional infiltration techniques. As recommendations that can be given to be aware of cyber security. It may be recommended not to use weak passwords, not to share the password with other people, not to click on links from unknown people, to make security adjustments by choosing a two-step authentication system, not to rely on incoming messages such as 'your account has been suspended', 'your profile will be closed within 24 hours due to copyrights, contact us' and links offered as a recovery option."

 

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)