A recent report from Check Point Research revealed a startling statistic—LinkedIn, the popular Microsoft-owned business platform, is impersonated in nearly half of all phishing attacks globally. For businesses in NYC and Long Island, this poses a serious risk, especially for those using LinkedIn to find job candidates, employees, or clients.

How Are Cybercriminals Using LinkedIn to Launch Phishing Attacks?

Cybercriminals use several tactics to impersonate LinkedIn and trick users into handing over sensitive information:

1- Phishing Emails Posing as LinkedIn Notifications
You’ve likely seen emails with subjects like “You have 1 new invitation” or “Your profile has been viewed by 63 people.” While these emails often seem legitimate, scammers are sending identical-looking emails that link to fake LinkedIn login pages, where they steal your login credentials and other personal information.

2- Fake Profiles Offering Job Opportunities
Another common tactic is creating fake LinkedIn profiles that message people with job offers. Once the target shows interest, the scammer either asks for a small payment to process the application (which is never seen again) or directs them to a phishing link disguised as a job application form.

LinkedIn’s Security Features: What’s Already in Place

To combat these phishing attempts, LinkedIn has introduced several security features aimed at protecting users:

Suspicious Message Warnings
LinkedIn detects suspicious messages that may attempt to take you off-platform or contain inappropriate content, sending users a warning notification.

Profile Verification
LinkedIn offers a profile verification badge for users who submit an additional form of ID. This helps ensure users are who they say they are, providing more trust in business dealings.

Profile Information Visibility
Users can click “More” on any profile to view additional details such as when the profile was created, when it was last updated, and whether a work email or phone number is associated with the account.

AI-Generated Profile Picture Detection
Scammers often use AI-generated photos to create fake profiles. LinkedIn now deploys AI detection features to catch and shut down these fake profiles before they can cause harm.

Are You Protected Against LinkedIn Phishing Scams?

LinkedIn’s built-in security features are helpful, but they are only the first line of defense. For NYC and Long Island businesses, relying solely on these features can leave you vulnerable. If an employee in your organization falls for a phishing scam and clicks on a malicious link, is your internal cybersecurity strong enough to protect your network from further damage?

Take Action: Get a FREE Security Risk Assessment

To stay ahead of phishing attacks and protect your business, you need a robust IT support and cybersecurity strategy. We offer a FREE Security Risk Assessment to help you identify any weaknesses in your network and ensure your business is protected from all types of cyber threats.

Call us at 718.412.9196 or click here to schedule your FREE Security Risk Assessment.