Kaspersky reports intensified scamming activities on Threads

The Threads app by Meta gained 100 million sign-ups within a week of its launch on July 5. As is often the case with trends, scammers quickly took advantage of the app’s popularity, using deceptive tactics to exploit users. This involves primarily masquerading as the Threads app to trick users, possibly gaining unauthorized access to their accounts, personal data, and even their finances.

Fraudsters have created fake web pages that mimic a non-existent web version of Threads. Users are deceived into entering their login details, inadvertently revealing private information to scammers. Since Threads is connected to other Meta services, users may also face the risk of losing access to their other social media accounts, such as Instagram and Facebook.

This not only raises privacy concerns like identity theft and doxing, but also poses financial risks. Personal banking information and even corporate finances may end up in the wrong hands.

Another scam also involves a fictitious service called Threads Coin, which claims to offer enhanced possibilities by bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds, specifically within the Metaverse. Users are tempted to purchase this coin using Ethereum. However, it is important to note that the only outcome users experience is financial loss.

Users are being lured into a scheme where they can supposedly gain free followers. They can opt for 10,000, 25,000, or 50,000 followers. After selecting an option, they are then asked to undergo a human verification process, which may involve sending an SMS and potentially winning a special prize. However, to claim the prize, users may be asked to make a payment. Unfortunately, they end up losing money without receiving the promised prize. Users are even encouraged to share the scheme via SMS, unknowingly becoming unwitting tools for spreading the scam.

To stay protected and explore new technologies in a safe way, Kaspersky experts recommend the following:

• Be cautious when downloading software from the internet, especially if it’s from a third-party website. Always try to download software from the official website of the company or service that you are using.
• Verify that the website you are downloading software from is legitimate. Look for the padlock icon in the address bar and make sure that the website’s URL starts with “https://” to ensure that the website is secure.
• Use strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. This can help protect your accounts from being compromised by attackers. Use a Kaspersky Password Manager to make using secure passwords easier. 
• Be wary of suspicious links or emails from unknown sources. Scammers often use social engineering techniques to trick users into clicking on links or downloading malicious software.
• Use a reliable security solution and keep it up to date. Kaspersky Premium is armed with the latest intelligence and can help detect and remove any malware that may be on your computer.