Deceptive TikTok Guides: Latest Online Scam Spreading Device Hacking Guides
Sneaky Cyber Scams on TikTok: How Fake Tutorial Videos Install Malware
TikTok has become a popular platform for cybercriminals, with a new wave of scams popping up. Trend Micro, a leading cybersecurity company, has warned about the spread of fraudulent tutorial videos promising free app downloads or premium versions. However, they actually install malware designed to steal your personal and banking data. Here's a lowdown on this sneaky practice and tips to stay protected.
Phony Tutorial Videos: A Convenient Trojan Horse
According to Trend Micro's report, the fake tutorial videos often use artificial intelligence (AI) for creation. These videos appear as step-by-step guides for installing apps like Spotify, CapCut, Windows, or Microsoft Office. The instructional voice is also likely AI-generated, making the videos more engaging and less likely to raise suspicions.
Behind the scenes, these videos trick users into running PowerShell programs, secretly downloading malicious software, such as the Vidar and StealC viruses, onto their devices.
You're the Pawn, Not the Predator
Cybersecurity analyst Marcelino Madrigal explains that users are downloading these Trojans unknowingly, simply by following the instructions. "TikTok is the perfect channel for spreading this type of fraud," he notes, "because it has millions of users and very little oversight."
Victor Deutsche from IMMUNE Technology Institute warns, "users are hacking themselves" by downloading malicious software that can swipe sensitive data, including credit card information. As reported by TVE's Telediario, over half a million people have suffered losses due to this scam.
Dodging the Scam Web
To protect yourself from these tricks, experts suggest exercising common sense. Marcelino Madrigal emphasizes, "nothing is free," and that if there are subscription costs for a program or service, there's a reason for it. He also points out that scammers capitalize on users' lack of knowledge, so it's essential to stay informed.
In addition, keep your antivirus software updated, use strong passwords, and steer clear of installing software from unrecognized sources. If you're unsure about a tutorial, consult reliable sources or official media before acting, as Madrigal advises, "to save on a subscription might cost you your entire digital life."
We've previously warned about other social media scams, such as the fake photography contest invite on Instagram and the bogus driver's license processing scam on TikTok. Stay vigilant, and remember: your safety is worth more than a free app.
- The popular platform TikTok has become a hub for cybercriminals, with fraudulent tutorial videos offering free app downloads actually installing malware designed to steal user's personal and banking data.
- Cybersecurity analyst Marcelino Madrigal notes that these Trojans are often unknowingly downloaded by users following instructions in these videos, making TikTok an ideal channel for spreading such fraud due to its vast user base and minimal oversight.
- To avoid falling victim to these scams, experts advise staying informed, keeping antivirus software updated, using strong passwords, and avoiding installing software from unrecognized sources. It's also important to remember that "nothing is free" and that scammers often exploit users' lack of knowledge.
