How To Stay Clear of a Phishing Attack on Social Media

In past blog posts we’ve shared about phishing emails – what they are and how to spot them. But let’s take this a step further. What if you become a victim of a phishing attack on social media? Unfortunately it can happen. There are so many fake social media accounts and fake posts. This is yet another way for cyber attackers to steal sensitive information.

Just a quick recap, a phishing attack is a form of a cyber attack. Cybercriminals will target individuals and send fake or deceiving messages with specific requests such as providing personal information via a web form. The hope is to retrieve personal data from their target such as a social security number, bank account information and so on. As with anything online it is best to be prepared and know the signs of phishing.

Here are some tips on how to fight phishing on social media:

Direct Messages

Email is one way of becoming a victim of a phishing attack. However, it’s easy to forget that cybercriminals can reach you through a direct message on social media which is almost like another variation of email. If you receive a direct message within one of your social media accounts that seems fake and not from a trustworthy source, it’s not worth the risk to engage with that email. Sometimes a friend or family members social media account may have been hacked and emails are sent out from those accounts. These emails may contain malicious links luring you to websites in order to steal your personal information and may also encourage you to download an attachment packed with a virus. Or these emails may try to convince you to give them your own social media password as well. Direct messages can be just as dangerous as a regular email. Take the highest level of precaution when reviewing a message you receive from Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin or any other social media network.

 

Spambots

Do you ever catch yourself reading through a series of the comments on social media posts? And that is fine to do, but just read through them. Somewhere tucked into the comments are links and those links are probably placed there by a spambot. Do your best to try not to click on links in the comments that look phishy or do not look like they come from a trusted source because chances are they are fake. These are spammy comments that include links which are connected to fake or phishing websites. This is another opportunity for a cybercriminal to try to steal your personal information.

 

Fake Posts

While scrolling through your newsfeed try not to engage in any posts that look fake. They could range from fake customer support posts for a popular website to a fake contest or fake giveaway post. Before clicking on a post that seems to good to be true, make sure it is from a trustworthy source. A fake post can easily be from a fake Facebook or Twitter account trying to pose as someone who they are not. Sometimes hackers will impersonate popular brands such as Target, Walmart, etc. A fake post that is coming from an untrusted source may have a misspelled account handle or have too many numbers in an account name. If a post in your newsfeed doesn’t look right to you then keep on scrolling past it.

 

All in all, you need to take the same precautions as you would with your email and be cautious with social media posts and/or direct messages. A phishing attack can happen anywhere – hackers get creative and are finding all sorts of ways to reach people. Hackers never stop. An as outsourced IT support provider, we never stop either to find ways to keep our clients most valuable information safe. For questions on the safety of your computer network, please give us a call today.

Common IT Security Compliance Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.

Why Cybersecurity and Business IT Support Are Crucial for Fort Wayne Businesses

April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.