The first step to boosting account security is to understand why large follower counts paint a target on influencers' backs. Influencers can be protected from cyber threats to their accounts and follow both vigilance, precaution and smart digital habits.
Understanding why influencer accounts attract hackers helps one consider things from a cybercriminal's perspective. When executing attacks, hackers carefully select targets that can provide maximum impact for minimum effort.
Influencers with huge, devoted followings check all the boxes:
The more followers an influencer has, the more accounts a hacker can leverage to distribute malware links, stolen data, fraudulent money-making schemes, and other cyber threats. While compromising a standard account with 500 followers makes a small splash, accessing an influencer account with 500,000 followers causes a tidal wave of exposure.
Followers have pre-established trust in the influencers they follow. They look to influencers for advice on products, services, trends, and sometimes even major life decisions. This ingrained trust increases the likelihood that followers will click questionable links or fall for social engineering scams from a hacked influencer account before realizing something is amiss.
Many influencer accounts feature coveted verification badges that signify legitimacy and authority. These marks of authenticity extend followers' assumptions of trustworthiness, making them even more apt to fall for traps set by hackers with compromised accounts.
Savvy influencers make big money promoting brands and products, so their accounts offer attractive money-making potential for fraudsters. Offering to sell a compromised influencer account to the highest bidder can also prove lucrative for cybercriminals motivated by financial gain.
For both influencers and aspiring account holders, safeguarding your profile is essential. If you're looking to grow your Instagram presence while staying secure, consider opting for a get a top-rated Instagram followers service that prioritizes quality and safety.
