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   Hackers go after influencers and content creators to hit followers with   
   malware, steal data   
      
   Date:   
   Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:00:00 +0000   
      
   Description:   
   Large social media channels are being targeted and abused in crypto scams,   
   malware attacks, and more.   
      
   FULL STORY   
      
   Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting social media influencers and other   
   popular individuals in an attempt to infect their followers with malware ,   
   draw them into crypto scams, or steal their sensitive information.    
      
   This is according to a new report from cybersecurity researchers Bitdefender,   
   who said the trend was quite widespread in 2024, and has continued in 2025,    
   as well.    
      
   As per the report, threat actors would first approach social media    
   influencers and content creators in different ways. They might offer fake   
   sponsorship deals, fake advanced AI-powered video software, or through simple   
   phishing attacks. If the victim falls for the trick and downloads malware,    
   the attackers get ahold of the login credentials for the different platforms   
   theyre using (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and others).    
      
   Millions of people at risk   
      
   The platforms are then used to target the followers in different ways. For   
   example, Bitdefender says there were more than 9,000 malicious live streams    
   on YouTube alone. These streams often appear legitimate at first glance, but   
   they are controlled by hackers who have rebranded compromised channels, they   
   said. Rebrands often spoof major names such as Donald Trump, Elon Musk (a   
   favorite among crypto scammers), Michael Saylor, or Brad Garlinghouse.    
      
   The researchers believe this is a major problem, with millions of people at   
   risk. In fact, one compromised YouTube account was followed by more than 28   
   million people, and another compromised account has had more than 12 billion   
   views in total.    
      
   The staggering number underscores the global reach that threat actors can   
   access, Bitdefender added. If cybercriminals convert just 1% of those views,   
   that equates to a staggering 124 million potential victims exposed to scams,   
   malware, or data theft.    
      
   During these live streams, crooks would promote malicious domains, which they   
   can use to steal credentials, peoples cryptocurrency holdings, or personal   
   information. Content creators are advised to tighten up on security, while   
   followers should be skeptical of everything they see online, including   
   information coming from their favorite influencer.   
      
   ======================================================================   
   Link to news story:   
   https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/hackers-go-after-influencers-and-conten   
   t-creators-to-hit-followers-with-malware-steal-data   
      
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