Many LinkedIn users have been hacked, losing access to their account in an instant. We explain how to react and avoid this situation.
Hackers launched a hacking campaign on LinkedIn. Since the beginning of August, many victims have reported losing their account in an instant on the social network for professionals. Users testify of sudden hacking, their access is blocked and cybercriminals modify the profile entirely. LinkedIn connections then receive questionable messages, likely to run scams or grab new credentials with a chain attack. Since August 11, 2023, Numerama has identified around twenty testimonials from hacked profiles, each time with the same modus operandi.
Searches for “hacked LinkedIn account” are also up sharply on Google. Search trends could indicate that the campaign started at the beginning of May and has seen a strong increase this summer.
Tamara, web developer, explains to us that her account was similarly hacked on LinkedIn. ” I got an alert telling me that my account had been connected in Russia and that if it was not me, I had to stop the connection. Unfortunately, at 3am, I was sleeping so the next day my account no longer had the same email or the same password. “, she tells us.
The attackers later targeted Tamara’s other social media accounts. ” I had Instagram posts that were posted with my account without my knowledge. Namely that I did not have the same email address on my LinkedIn as on my Instagram “. The hackers ended up attacking his Steam account: I started getting messages telling me that I was selling items to the same person from my Steam account. I wasn’t losing any money, but it looks like my account was acting as a sales gateway. From there, I decided to change all of my passwords and clean up my computer. “, she testifies.
What to do in case of hacking?
According to US media outlet Bleeping Computer, attackers could use credentials leaked online, or through brute force technique, to find passwords. When hackers manage to seize poorly protected LinkedIn accounts, they modify the email address with another from the Russian service “rambler.ru”. The motivations can be numerous: scam campaign from hacked accounts, resale of identifiers, purchases of goods online.
If you wake up with a new profile on LinkedIn and all your access blocked, first contact customer service on this page where you can report your hacked account. Then change the passwords for all your social media accounts and e-commerce sites.
Enable two-factor authentication
Double authentication can block the hacking attempt.
To activate the verification of your account, in two steps:
- See you in “ Preferences and Privacy » below your profile icon.
- Then click on the ” identification and security »
- There ” Two-step verification is at the bottom of the list. Click on it to configure it. You have the choice between identification by SMS or by app.
It will take a few minutes, but will save you from losing a network that has been maintained for years.
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