The Latest Cybersecurity In The Social Media Industry Statistics Explained
There are more than 7,000 monthly social impersonations, most aimed at tricking people into providing personal information.
This statistic indicates that there are over 7,000 instances of social impersonations occurring on a monthly basis, with the primary intention of deceiving individuals into divulging their personal information. Social impersonation typically involves individuals pretending to be someone else, whether it be a known acquaintance, company representative, or authority figure, in order to manipulate others into sharing sensitive details such as login credentials, financial information, or other private data. This statistic highlights the prevalence and sophistication of social engineering tactics used by malicious actors to exploit unsuspecting individuals for the purpose of committing fraud, identity theft, or other cybercrimes. It underscores the importance of staying vigilant and implementing strategies to protect personal information and guard against social engineering attacks.
Over 80% of security professionals identified LinkedIn as the topmost source of security incidents among social media sites.
The statistic indicates that a significant majority of security professionals view LinkedIn as the primary source of security incidents among various social media platforms. This suggests that security breaches, attacks, or privacy concerns are most commonly associated with LinkedIn compared to other social media sites. The high percentage of professionals identifying LinkedIn as the top source signifies a prevalent perception within the security community regarding the vulnerabilities or risks specifically posed by the platform. This information is crucial for businesses and individuals to consider when assessing their online security measures and potentially adjusting their usage or security protocols on LinkedIn to mitigate potential risks.
In 2018, Facebook estimated that fake accounts represented approximately 3 – 4% of its monthly active users.
The statistic from Facebook in 2018 indicates that around 3 to 4% of its total monthly active users were estimated to be fake accounts. This suggests that a small but notable portion of the user base on the platform may not be legitimate users but rather accounts created for deceptive or malicious purposes. Fake accounts can impact various aspects of user experience on the platform, such as credibility of information shared, targeted advertising, and overall trust in the platform. This statistic underlines the importance for social media platforms, like Facebook, to actively monitor and address issues related to fake accounts to maintain the integrity and quality of user interactions on their platform.
Facebook found and removed 1.3 billion fake accounts between October and December 2020.
The statistic indicates that Facebook identified and eradicated a total of 1.3 billion fake accounts during the time frame of October to December 2020. This implies that there was a significant amount of fraudulent or inauthentic activity occurring on the platform during that period, potentially impacting the integrity of user interactions and data. By taking action to remove these fake accounts, Facebook aims to enhance the trustworthiness and credibility of its platform, as well as ensure a safer and more authentic user experience for its users. This statistic highlights the ongoing challenge that social media platforms face in combating fake accounts and maintaining a secure online environment.
Over half of cybercrimes resulted from human error and system failure.
The statistic ‘over half of cybercrimes resulted from human error and system failure’ suggests that a significant portion of cybercrimes can be attributed to mistakes made by individuals or vulnerabilities within computer systems. This indicates that a considerable number of cyber incidents could have been prevented through better education and training for users to avoid common pitfalls, such as falling for phishing emails or using weak passwords, as well as implementing stronger security measures and practices to safeguard against technical weaknesses in systems. By addressing both human and technical factors contributing to cybercrimes, organizations can enhance their defenses and reduce the likelihood of falling victim to malicious activities in the digital realm.
Social media platforms are the number 1 promotional tool used by cybercriminals.
The statistic “Social media platforms are the number 1 promotional tool used by cybercriminals” suggests that social media platforms are the primary means through which cybercriminals promote their malicious activities. This finding implies that cybercriminals often leverage the widespread reach and accessibility of social media to advertise their scams, malware, phishing schemes, and other illicit activities. By utilizing social media platforms, cybercriminals can easily target a large audience, exploit users’ trust and familiarity with these platforms, and manipulate individuals into engaging with harmful content or links. The statistic underscores the importance of cybersecurity measures on social media, as well as the need for users to be vigilant and cautious about the information they encounter and interact with online.
Phishing attacks against social media companies rose by 500% in 2020.
The statistic ‘Phishing attacks against social media companies rose by 500% in 2020’ indicates a significant increase in the number of phishing attempts targeting social media companies compared to the previous year. Phishing attacks involve the fraudulent practice of attempting to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by posing as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. A 500% rise suggests a substantial surge in the frequency and severity of these malicious activities, raising concerns about the security vulnerabilities within social media platforms and the need for enhanced measures to protect user data and privacy.
60,000 LinkedIn scams were set up in Q2 2019 to trick individuals into providing personal information.
The statistic that states ‘60,000 LinkedIn scams were set up in Q2 2019 to trick individuals into providing personal information’ implies that there was a significant number of fraudulent activities on the LinkedIn platform during that period. The term “scams” suggests that these were intentional attempts to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive personal information, potentially for malicious purposes such as identity theft or financial fraud. The figure of 60,000 highlights the scale of the issue, indicating a widespread and organized effort to exploit users of the professional networking platform. This statistic serves as a concerning reminder of the prevalence of cyber threats and the need for individuals to remain vigilant and cautious while engaging online.
In 2020, Twitter reported a data hack that affected 130 accounts.
The statistic stating that in 2020, Twitter reported a data hack that affected 130 accounts highlights a significant breach in cybersecurity with far-reaching implications. This breach likely led to unauthorized access to personal information, private messages, and potentially sensitive data within those accounts. The impact of such a hack goes beyond just the affected users, as it also raises concerns about the overall security measures and vulnerabilities present in large-scale platforms such as Twitter. The incident underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity protocols and the need for continuous monitoring and improvement of data protection practices to safeguard user information in the digital age.
In 2019, Instagram experienced a massive data breach impacting 49 million users.
The statistic “In 2019, Instagram experienced a massive data breach impacting 49 million users” indicates a significant cybersecurity incident where the popular social media platform Instagram faced a breach resulting in the compromise of the personal data of 49 million of its users. A data breach of this scale can have far-reaching consequences for the affected individuals, potentially leading to identity theft, financial fraud, or other cybersecurity risks. The incident underscores the importance of robust security measures and proactive measures to safeguard user information in the digital age.
It was reported that Twitter sold data access to a researcher who was tied to the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
This statistic indicates that Twitter engaged in selling data access to a researcher involved in the notorious Cambridge Analytica scandal. This scandal, stemming from the misuse of Facebook user data for political purposes, raised significant concerns about data privacy and ethical data practices. By selling data access to a figure linked to this scandal, Twitter is implicated in potentially compromising user privacy and contributing to unethical data handling practices. This statistic sheds light on the complex issues surrounding data security and ethical considerations in the digital age, emphasizing the importance of stringent data protection measures and transparency in data handling practices by social media platforms.
Research has identified 53,763 instances of users on Instagram leaking sensitive information in images.
The statistic stating that research has identified 53,763 instances of users on Instagram leaking sensitive information in images indicates a significant level of potential privacy and security risks associated with the platform. This finding highlights the importance of being cautious when sharing images online, as sensitive information such as personal details, location data, or other confidential information can inadvertently be disclosed. It underscores the need for users to be aware of the potential repercussions of oversharing on social media platforms and to adopt appropriate privacy settings and best practices to safeguard their personal information. Additionally, it emphasizes the urgent need for increased awareness, education, and possibly improved technological solutions to address the issue of unintentional data leakage on social media platforms like Instagram.
Social media is a factor in 50% of all corporate network infections.
The statistic “Social media is a factor in 50% of all corporate network infections” suggests that half of the security breaches or infections experienced by corporate networks are linked to social media activities. This indicates that social media platforms are a significant risk factor for cyber threats within corporate environments. Employees’ use of social media may lead to inadvertently clicking on malicious links, downloading malware, or exposing sensitive information, thereby compromising the security of the network. It underscores the importance of implementing robust cybersecurity measures and providing comprehensive employee training to mitigate the risks associated with social media use in corporate settings.
74% of respondents of the Cybersecurity Insiders survey believe social media sites pose significant security risks.
The statistic indicating that 74% of respondents of the Cybersecurity Insiders survey believe social media sites pose significant security risks highlights the prevalent concern among individuals regarding the potential vulnerabilities associated with using social media platforms. This suggests that a large majority of the surveyed population perceives social media as a platform that poses substantial threats to their online security and privacy. Such concerns may stem from various factors such as data breaches, privacy invasions, malware attacks, phishing scams, and unauthorized access to personal information. As a result, it underscores the importance of implementing robust security measures and best practices while engaging with social media to mitigate potential risks and protect sensitive data.
90% of data breaches are caused by human error, according to Cybint.
The statistic that “90% of data breaches are caused by human error, according to Cybint,” suggests that the vast majority of security incidents leading to data breaches can be attributed to mistakes made by individuals within organizations rather than external factors like malicious cyberattacks. This highlights the importance of employee training, awareness, and vigilance in maintaining robust cybersecurity practices. It underscores the critical role of human behavior in protecting sensitive data and emphasizes the need for organizations to prioritize education and enforcement of security policies to mitigate the risks posed by human errors.
Almost half (48%) of malicious files detected in 2020 were disguised as popular game, movie, or porn titles.
This statistic indicates that a significant portion of malicious files detected in 2020 were designed to be disguised as popular content such as games, movies, and porn titles in order to deceive users into downloading them. The presence of these deceptive tactics highlights the sophistication and adaptability of cybercriminals, who are leveraging the lure of familiar and enticing content to trick users into infecting their devices with malware or other malicious software. As users are more likely to trust and download files that appear to be related to their interests or entertainment preferences, it is crucial for individuals and organizations to remain vigilant and exercise caution when downloading files from unfamiliar sources to mitigate the risk of falling victim to cybercrime.
Around one in every 100 emails is sent with malicious intent.
This statistic indicates that approximately 1% of all emails are sent with malicious intent, such as containing viruses, malware, phishing scams, or other harmful content. In the context of cyber threats, this statistic highlights the prevalence of email as a common vector for cyber attacks. As email continues to be a primary means of communication in both personal and professional settings, individuals and organizations should remain vigilant and practice proper cybersecurity measures to protect themselves from potential threats. This statistic serves as a reminder of the importance of email security and the need for individuals to be cautious when interacting with emails from unknown or suspicious sources.
References
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