Are You at Risk? Targeted hacking incidents increasing on LinkedIn

Four people I know have recently had their LinkedIn Profiles hacked.

One lost a significant network and all her content forever. As well as several company pages. She is rebuilding.

It devastates me when I hear this.

Here's what I am discovering -

LinkedIn members are getting their profiles hacked, and the hackers are using automation to reach your contacts.

In this case, LinkedIn 'restricts' your account or puts you in 'LinkedIn Jail' and you won't know the reason why. This makes it very difficult to recover your account.

Sometimes it takes months and countless back-and-forth messages.

How can you protect yourself?

1. Change your password TODAY. How long has it been since you changed it? Years? Use an encrypted password from a password generator. Save it in LastPass or 1Password, or another service.
2. Enable 2-Device Authentication. Immediately! They can't login without your phone verification.
3. Check your messages EVERYDAY. In one case, only one message was sent because it was caught right away. It's so freaky to see a message sent to one of your connections that is so out of context.
4. Verify your account. Verified accounts are far less likely to be hacked. It uses the airport security company Clear. Learn more here. It is far easier to recover a verified account.
5. Use a Passkey vs. a Password. More on that here.
6. Avoid ALL third-party automation. If you have an admin or V.A. accessing your profile, create a VPN for them. All third-party automation violates your user agreement, and you will likely NOT get your account back. LinkedIn Hates automation. Zero tolerance.

Who is most @ Risk?

High-level professionals with large networks.

They are targeting networks of Decision-Makers. Coaches, Consultants, Digital Marketers, and individuals with extensive networks of decision-makers are at a higher risk.

(As an additional safety precaution, archive your profile content and connections at least quarterly. That is a solid backup plan should you lose everything—especially your contacts.)

At the other end of the spectrum, LinkedIn members who are not active on the platform are very much at risk.

Log in to your account at least once a week and take a look around.

LinkedIn is a conundrum. They are very quick to put people in LinkedIn Jail.

But, they also abhor breaches. They get really irate about hackers.

That can be used to your advantage in this current rash of hacking.

I have been told I am a terrible LinkedIn Consultant because I have never been in LinkedIn Jail. Most have been incarcerated.

I rather take pride in the fact that I have not.

If you are consciously using Automation, no one can help you. If you get caught, and can't prove you were hacked, say goodbye to your profile. And, don't ask me for help.

If you get hacked, ACT IMMEDIATELY. And, contact me. Every case is different. I can advise how to proceed.

Please secure your accounts. It really kills me to hear of losing what we have worked so hard to build.

Your network = Your net worth.

Until next time... 

Angela

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