Is Your Business Social Media Account Safe? Watch Out for This New Phishing Attack
Social media is critical for customer engagement and brand visibility but that also makes it a prime target for cybercriminals. A new phishing scam is exploiting Google’s AppSheet platform to bypass email security filters and trick users into handing over Facebook login credentials.
If your business relies on Facebook for marketing or communication, this is a threat you can’t afford to ignore.
Hackers Are Now Using Google AppSheet to Launch Phishing Attacks
Cybersecurity researchers from KnowBe4 have uncovered a wave of phishing emails sent from the legitimate-looking address noreply@appsheet.com. These emails are crafted to appear trustworthy but contain links leading to fake Facebook login pages.
Once clicked, users are prompted to enter their Facebook username, password, and even two-factor authentication (2FA) codes giving hackers full access to your business accounts.
Because the emails are sent using a reputable Google service, many email filters fail to flag them as malicious, allowing them to land directly in your inbox.
How to Protect Your Company From Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks
Cyberattacks like this one don’t just threaten data they can damage your reputation and disrupt operations. Here’s how to safeguard your business:
1. Employee Security Awareness Training
Most phishing attacks succeed because someone clicked without thinking. Your employees are your first line of defense. Train them to recognize:
- Spear Phishing – Personalized emails targeting specific individuals.
- Clone Phishing – Fake emails mimicking legitimate messages.
- Smishing – Phishing via SMS messages.
- Whaling – Scams targeting executives with urgent requests.
2. Encourage a Culture of Cyber Vigilance
Teach your team to pause before they click. Red flags to look out for include:
- Strange or misspelled sender email addresses
- Generic greetings (“Dear user”)
- Spelling/grammar errors
- Urgent requests like “Click now to avoid deactivation”
- Suspicious URLs when hovering over links
3. Use Strong Login Protocols
- Require complex, unique passwords for all company logins
- Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Limit administrative access to only essential personnel
4. Invest in World-Class Cybersecurity Solutions
Protect your business with:
- Advanced spam filters to catch spoofed emails
- Secure email gateways to block malicious links
- Endpoint protection and firewall software to prevent threats from spreading inside your network
Don’t Wait for a Breach. Take Action Now!
Today’s phishing scams are more convincing than ever. When hackers use platforms like Google AppSheet to bypass defenses, your business needs to be prepared. By investing in employee training, enforcing strong security policies, and partnering with a trusted IT and cybersecurity provider, you can significantly reduce the risk of account takeovers and data breaches.
Need help protecting your business from phishing attacks?
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