EXPLAINER: How Social Media Comments Can Empty Your Bank Account
Nothing delights scammers more than a trail of your personal information on different social media platforms.
Social media users often drop their personal details while engaging posts on Twitter, Facebook and other platforms. These actions, though innocent, tend to leave a digital footprint. And to scammers, these footprints are like a treasure chest.
Recently, @ayodeji_og shared a post asking tweeps to reveal the names of their mothers in a thread. This request did not sit well with many Nigerians who understand social engineering.
Is your Mom’s name beautiful? Flaunt it and make it a thread.
@WolePhoenix, one of the tweeps who commented on the post, noted that all the information other tweeps might have dropped could be used to launch a malicious attack through social engineering.
Findings showed that social engineering refers to every technique aimed at making someone reveal specific information or perform a specific action for illegitimate reasons.
It uses psychological manipulation to trick users into making security mistakes or giving away sensitive information.
Abdulrahman Tunde, a cyber security researcher, who commented on the post, vividly illustrated how sharing one’s details online could be unwise and risky.
“Those engaging this tweet, I have a message for you. Previously, you have dropped your [date of birth], you have dropped your account details under giveaway, you have dropped your location of birth under a different engagement,” said Tunde.
“You have also dropped your phone number to win data giveaway. Then ‘Mr. Charles from your bank’ will call you tomorrow. He will tell you your name, your DOB, your mother’s name, then tell you your ATM is having issues.”
“Then you will call your ATM number, and [he will] ask you to send OTP. By tomorrow, you will start dragging ‘your bank’ that you were wrongly debited. A more deadly scenario is using these same details you are giving out willingly as your PIN, password and security questions.”
WHY SHOULD YOU TAKE CAUTION?
Questions such as ‘What is your mother’s maiden name?’ are known as security questions.
Apart from mother’s maiden name, security questions can come in the form of address, date of birth, name of the street you grew up on, the name of your first pet, the name of your high school, the city where you grew up, your childhood nickname and the model of your first car.
According to Okta, an American identity and access management company, these questions are used to authenticate one’s identity. They typically serve as an extra layer of security.
What does the above imply? In Nigeria, many websites, as well as mobile and web apps, utilise security questions. Also, financial institutions, cable companies and wireless providers use security questions.
Banks, for instance, require customers to answer security questions when they want to reset their pins or passwords, change their transaction PIN and manage beneficiaries, among other functions.
In an era where online scam is rife with no permanent solution in sight, one can imagine the dangers associated with voluntarily giving out personal information in the name of social media engagement.
When such questions are asked on social media, they might appear harmless. However, one must think twice before answering them because fraudsters may be lurking in the comments waiting to pounce on their next victim.
The Director-General Liaison Office, Abuja and Lagos, Hon Ezekiel Temitope Oladimeji affectionately referred to as OTOPE has announced the commencement of his proposed vocational training
On April 21, President Bola Tinubu launched the first phase of the Consumer Credit Scheme. The programme allows working citizens to access loans for important
The federal government on Tuesday confirmed the suspension of the 0.5% cybersecurity levy imposed recently by the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN. The CBN had
Youths of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the aegis of the PDP National Solidarity Vanguard have demanded the immediate expulsion of the Minister of
Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde , FNSE, the Government of Oyo State has made significant strides in urban development, thanks
Technology
EXPLAINER: How Social Media Comments Can Empty Your Bank Account
EXPLAINER: How Social Media Comments Can Empty Your Bank Account
Nothing delights scammers more than a trail of your personal information on different social media platforms.
Social media users often drop their personal details while engaging posts on Twitter, Facebook and other platforms. These actions, though innocent, tend to leave a digital footprint. And to scammers, these footprints are like a treasure chest.
Recently, @ayodeji_og shared a post asking tweeps to reveal the names of their mothers in a thread. This request did not sit well with many Nigerians who understand social engineering.
SOCIAL ENGINEERING
@WolePhoenix, one of the tweeps who commented on the post, noted that all the information other tweeps might have dropped could be used to launch a malicious attack through social engineering.
Findings showed that social engineering refers to every technique aimed at making someone reveal specific information or perform a specific action for illegitimate reasons.
It uses psychological manipulation to trick users into making security mistakes or giving away sensitive information.
ALSO READ: Stop Flaunting Your Private Affairs, Wealth On Social Media – DSS Warn Nigerians
Abdulrahman Tunde, a cyber security researcher, who commented on the post, vividly illustrated how sharing one’s details online could be unwise and risky.
“Those engaging this tweet, I have a message for you. Previously, you have dropped your [date of birth], you have dropped your account details under giveaway, you have dropped your location of birth under a different engagement,” said Tunde.
“You have also dropped your phone number to win data giveaway. Then ‘Mr. Charles from your bank’ will call you tomorrow. He will tell you your name, your DOB, your mother’s name, then tell you your ATM is having issues.”
“Then you will call your ATM number, and [he will] ask you to send OTP. By tomorrow, you will start dragging ‘your bank’ that you were wrongly debited. A more deadly scenario is using these same details you are giving out willingly as your PIN, password and security questions.”
WHY SHOULD YOU TAKE CAUTION?
Questions such as ‘What is your mother’s maiden name?’ are known as security questions.
Apart from mother’s maiden name, security questions can come in the form of address, date of birth, name of the street you grew up on, the name of your first pet, the name of your high school, the city where you grew up, your childhood nickname and the model of your first car.
ALSO READ: ‘Olosho Money Can’t Makes You Rich, it ends on Social Media’ – Sonia Ogiri advices Ladies
According to Okta, an American identity and access management company, these questions are used to authenticate one’s identity. They typically serve as an extra layer of security.
What does the above imply? In Nigeria, many websites, as well as mobile and web apps, utilise security questions. Also, financial institutions, cable companies and wireless providers use security questions.
ALSO READ: CAUTION: 8 Things You Must Avoid Posting On Social Media
Banks, for instance, require customers to answer security questions when they want to reset their pins or passwords, change their transaction PIN and manage beneficiaries, among other functions.
In an era where online scam is rife with no permanent solution in sight, one can imagine the dangers associated with voluntarily giving out personal information in the name of social media engagement.
When such questions are asked on social media, they might appear harmless. However, one must think twice before answering them because fraudsters may be lurking in the comments waiting to pounce on their next victim.
[FIJ]
Related
Related Articles
Just In: OTOPE Foundation Set To Commence Free Tech-Skills Training For Egbeda/Ona-Ara Constituents(SEE THE DATE)
The Director-General Liaison Office, Abuja and Lagos, Hon Ezekiel Temitope Oladimeji affectionately referred to as OTOPE has announced the commencement of his proposed vocational training
Eight Facts Nigerians Need To Know About FG’s Consumer Credit Scheme
…As Registration Ends Today President Bola Tinubu recently approved the takeoff of the first phase of the Consumer Credit Scheme. Below are 8 key
1.6m Nigerians Submitted Applications For Consumer Credit Scheme – Uzoma Nwagba
On April 21, President Bola Tinubu launched the first phase of the Consumer Credit Scheme. The programme allows working citizens to access loans for important
[FLASH]: FG CONFIRMS SUSPENSION OF THE 0.5% CYBERSECURITY LEVY
The federal government on Tuesday confirmed the suspension of the 0.5% cybersecurity levy imposed recently by the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN. The CBN had
PDP Group Calls For Wike’s Expulsion, Gives Reason
Youths of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the aegis of the PDP National Solidarity Vanguard have demanded the immediate expulsion of the Minister of
Transforming Urban Landscapes: The Impact of Honorable Commissioner Lands Housing and Urban Development, Akin-Funmilayo Williams by MOE
Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde , FNSE, the Government of Oyo State has made significant strides in urban development, thanks
Segun Akinlabi
Media Blogger
EgalitarianVoice is a subsidiary of EGALITARIAN MEDIA HUB, it is a blog that keeps you up to date latest news and updates all around the world.
Our articles are written by real life geeks, seasoned and experienced authors.
The site is committed to secure your right cus your voice must be heard and advertisement of your products & services.
The site is managed by Egalitarian Segun AKINLABI who is the Editor-in-chief, others editors from Egalitarian Team Oyo State, Nigeria.
Egalitarian
Just In: OTOPE Foundation Set To Commence Free Tech-Skills Training For Egbeda/Ona-Ara Constituents(SEE THE DATE)
Read More »Eight Facts Nigerians Need To Know About FG’s Consumer Credit Scheme
Read More »1.6m Nigerians Submitted Applications For Consumer Credit Scheme – Uzoma Nwagba
Read More »