According to researchers associated with cyber threat watcher, Cyble, a hacker uploaded about 9.4 million Linkedin profiles for free on the darknet. The report claims that most of the profiles were gathered from locations in Europe. In addition to this, the data is said to have been collected over the course of three years; from 2015 to 2018.

One of the most popular ways hackers target victims is through their public profiles and in this article you will learn why it puts your internet security at stake.

While the Linkedin leaks did not include users’ passwords, some contain information like a person’s CV and contact information. Cyble comments that the data looks like it had been gotten from Linkedin users public profile and may not have required any complicated technical maneuvers as well. However, it can still pose a threat for the following reasons:

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(1.) Your information on the darknet can assist hackers to socially engineer you and other victims.

(2.) With your contact address made public, you could start getting phishing emails and other potentially dangerous messages.

(3.) Hackers could be only steps away from hacking into your Linkedin account if they have your full profile information.

(4.) Since many people put their home address on their CVs, it could also put them and their loved ones at risk.

Now that you are aware that cybercriminals may be targeting you via Linkedin, here are some steps you can take:

— Change your password as regularly as every few months.

— If you log in with a public computer, remember to sign out before you leave it.

— Set the privacy of your account information with the tools the platform provides.

— Don’t put your email address, phone number and home address in your profile’s summary.

— Don’t connect to people you do not know or share a trustworthy common connection with. If you see a suspicious connection request, report it to Linkedin admins.

— Set up two-step verification for your account.

Also, while the 9 million+ Linkedin accounts leaked on darknet is in Europe, the hacker could be already targeting users from other locations. Thus, now is as good as any time to improve your security.

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