Cyber Crime on Social Media
The Rise of Social Media in recent years has provided Cyber Criminals with an Additional Platform for their Illicit Activities. In 2022, Meta, the Parent Company of Facebook, Identified over 400 Malicious Applications for IOS & Android that aimed to Compromise Mobile Users by Stealing their Facebook Log-In Information.
Among these Applications, 43% were Categorised as ‘Photo Editors, including those that Offered Users the Ability to Transform their Images. Additionally, 15% were Labelled as ‘Business Utility’ Applications, Purporting to Offer Features Not Available in Legitimate Apps from Trusted Sources.
Cyber Criminals often Employ Tactics such as Creating Fraudulent Reviews to Enhance the Visibility of their Applications & Obscure Negative Feedback that points out Potential Risks. Consequently, unsuspecting Users may Download these Applications and are Prompted to Log in using their Facebook Credentials, allowing Hackers to Capture any Information entered.
How Prevalent is Cyber Crime on Social Media?
Cyber Crime is exceedingly prevalent on Social Media Platforms. In the 2nd Quarter of 2022, Facebook Removed 8.2 Million Pieces of Content that Breached its Policies regarding Bullying & Harassment. In the 1st Quarter of the same year, the Platform Removed 9.5 Million Instances of Policy Violating Content, marking the Highest Number Ever Recorded by Facebook.
