How to avoid Twitter spam
- By Hannah Mahony -
- Aug 02, 2012
The tech team over at Virgin Digital Help have put together a handy guide on how to avoid those Twitter trolling Spambots – created to lure you into clicking their links to scam sites, or worse – malware.
Like a lot of social media websites, Twitter can be a platform for cyber attacks enticing you into installing software which could be used to access your personal data.
The digital wizards advise that if you’re followed by one of these accounts, to use Twitter’s ‘block and report for spam’ feature to help disable the account and prevent others from being tricked.
"Never, under any circumstances, click a link you don’t trust on Twitter. Even a user who you do trust could have been hacked, meaning they send out links without their knowledge. Always ensure you keep your mobile antivirus updated, just in case. "
Check out the team's top tips:
1. Be aware that if there’s a drastic change in the number of your followers, if your tweets don’t appear on your profile or if you get an email from Twitter regarding account changes which you haven’t made then your account may have been hijacked.
2. If you encounter this you should; change your password, check the ‘Applications Tab’ under your account settings, revoke any unrecognised third-party apps, delete any unauthorized tweets and scan your computer with a trusted antivirus vendor.
3. To defend against attacks; don’t click on links from unfamiliar tweets or DMs, make sure your security software is up to date and remember - if a tweet link looks too good to be true, then it probably is.
For more Twitter tips and technical help – check out the Virgin Digital Help website.
By Hannah Mahony. Social engagement executive, Virgin Group Digital. Tweets @hannahmahony
