Attempts to access scam sites that imitate Google services are increasing.
As of January 2023, experts from the cybersecurity company Kaspersky recorded a 189% increase in attempts worldwide, compared to December 2022. These pages are designed to attract users by impersonating famous people.
For example, on YouTube, there are videos dedicated to cryptocurrencies, which take advantage of an already existing and legitimate channel in which there are videos of Elon Musk.
By gaining access to the real profile, cybercriminals upload new videos containing links and codes that lead to fraudulent sites, with the aim of stealing users' money and personal data.
A few days ago, Akamai researchers identified several attempts at scams offering cryptocurrencies by celebrities and brands, in particular by indicating Musk himself and his associated companies as senders.
These scams are spread through social networks and messaging apps, such as WhatsApp or Telegram.
Based on the senders' address, Akamai observed that the majority of attempts came from Russia.
Unlike email-borne scams, with still poor English, the researchers noted that many of the threats affecting cryptocurrencies are built on a higher level, through sites that even host chatbots for real-time support.
“The rise of malicious exploitation of video content on YouTube adds another layer to scams, making it even more difficult for users to distinguish between reality and illegality. It is essential that people take proactive steps to protect their accounts and data , such as using strong passwords, the
