{"id":158170,"date":"2022-08-25T11:36:42","date_gmt":"2022-08-25T18:36:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=158170"},"modified":"2022-08-25T11:36:42","modified_gmt":"2022-08-25T18:36:42","slug":"heres-how-to-steer-clear-of-bot-accounts-on-social-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/internet-security\/heres-how-to-steer-clear-of-bot-accounts-on-social-media\/","title":{"rendered":"Here&#8217;s How to Steer Clear of Bot Accounts on Social Media"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cCongratulations, you\u2019re a winner!\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cDid you know this public figure is trying to make your life worse? Click here for what they don\u2019t want you to know.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cSave thousands today with just one click!\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Spam and bot accounts on social media are everywhere. You\u2019ve likely encountered messages like these that attempt to get you to click on links or to stir your emotions in a frenzy. While bot accounts are usually more of an annoyance than anything, when they\u2019re allowed to run rampant, they can quickly become <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/en-us\/identity-theft\/protection.html?path=blogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">dangerous to your personally identifiable information<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> (PII) and create an emotionally charged mob mentality.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Here\u2019s what you should know about bot accounts, including how to steer clear of menacing ones, plus a reminder to watch what you share on (and with) social media sites.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What Are Bot Accounts?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bot accounts are software-automated accounts that try to blend in and act like a real user. They post updates and follow other users, though there isn\u2019t a real person behind the account. A spam account is a type of bot account that attempts to gain financially from its automated posts. Everyday people should be wary of social media bot accounts because they can be used to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/mobile-security\/beware-of-social-media-scams\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">disseminate false information<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> or phishing scams.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">One whistleblower of a social media giant recently divulged that the platform isn\u2019t prioritizing deactivating bot accounts.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">1<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> This apathy sparks concerns about the company\u2019s commitment to the security of its users. In the whistleblower\u2019s same report, he stated that the social media site isn\u2019t taking the necessary steps to protect itself from potential inside threats and it had fallen victim to at least 20 breaches in 2020 without reporting the incidents to the proper authorities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How to Spot and Steer Clear of Bot Accounts<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Some bot accounts aren\u2019t malicious (merely an annoying tactic by companies to spread the word about their business), but it\u2019s best to give all of them a wide berth and never click on any links in their posts. Those links could direct to unsecured outside sites laden with malware or drop you in the middle of a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/internet-security\/protect-yourself-against-phishing-scams-with-these-security-tips\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">phishing scheme<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can often spot a malicious bot account by the tone of its messages. They\u2019ll often try to inspire intense emotions, such as excitement, sadness, or rage, and attempt to get users to act or share the post. Do not engage with them, not even to argue their points. When you engage or share these posts with your network, it spreads false information and could dangerously manipulate public opinion.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">3 Tips to Enjoy Social Media Safely<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Here are a few ways you can take your cybersecurity into your own hands when you can\u2019t be sure that social media sites are looking out for the safety of users\u2019 information:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Don\u2019t overshare.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> We all have an oversharer amongst our friends whose constant life updates rule our newsfeeds. Oversharing personal details and events can be more than annoying though. They can also put the oversharer\u2019s PII at risk. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/privacy-identity-protection\/its-social-media-day-heres-how-to-protect-yourself-from-social-engineering-online\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Social engineering<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> is a tactic where cybercriminals learn enough about you online to either impersonate you or personalize phishing attacks to your passions to capitalize upon your emotions. To combat social engineering, you may want to set your account to private so strangers can\u2019t lurk and glean valuable personal details. Also, deny follower or friend requests from people you don\u2019t know in real life. It could be a bot account in disguise. Another option: don\u2019t overshare! Keep some mystery about your life and save them for in-person gatherings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Don\u2019t divulge non-essential personal details with social media sites.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> When you set up a social media profile, the site usually requests several crucial pieces of PII, but they aren\u2019t marked as required fields. These details include your full birthday (including the year), your full name, and your hometown. Consider only sharing your birthday month and day. Keep your birth year to yourself. That way, your followers can still wish you a happy birthday, but you frustrate phishers and dark web crawlers who are seeking your full birthdate.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Don\u2019t spread false information.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> To combat bots, the best thing to do is to not engage with them, or better yet, label them as spam or suspicious. From there, hopefully the social media site can handle the situation. False information can spread like wildfire. Even if a bot\u2019s post is laughably inaccurate, do not share it with your followers. It only takes one follower to believe it and then spread it to their own audience and so on.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Trust a Comprehensive Security Solution to Watch Out for You<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can\u2019t trust every company to look out for the safety of your personal information, but one organization you can trust is McAfee. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/en-us\/antivirus\/mcafee-total-protection.html?path=blogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">McAfee Total Protection<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> is a comprehensive identity and privacy protection solution for your digital life. Great social media habits go a long way toward keeping you safe online, and you can rest assured knowing that McAfee can fill in the gaps. McAfee Total Protection offers antivirus, identity monitoring, and security freeze in the case your information is leaked in a breach or a bot account gets ahold of key details.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keep on sharing your life\u2019s milestones with your closest friends and family online. The next time you update your status, flag any suspicious accounts you come across, so everyone can enjoy social media confidently!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">1<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">NBC News, \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/tech\/tech-news\/twitter-whistleblower-alleges-major-security-issues-rcna44361\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Twitter whistleblower alleges major security issues<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Journal of Information Technology &amp; Politics, \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/19331681.2021.2004287\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Harass, mislead &amp; polarize: An analysis of Twitter political bots\u2019 tactics in targeting the immigration debate before the 2018 U.S. midterm election<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cCongratulations, you\u2019re a winner!\u201d\u00a0 \u201cDid you know this public figure is trying to make your life worse? Click here for&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":674,"featured_media":156389,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10661],"tags":[15440,15443,15442,15445,4162,4222,15441,15444],"coauthors":[3973],"class_list":["post-158170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-internet-security","tag-bot","tag-bot-accounts","tag-fake-accounts","tag-how-to-know-if-an-account-is-a-bot","tag-security","tag-social-media","tag-social-media-safety","tag-what-are-bot-accounts"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Here&#039;s How to Steer Clear of Bot Accounts on Social Media | McAfee Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u201cCongratulations, you\u2019re a winner!\u201d\u00a0 \u201cDid you know this public figure is trying to make your life worse? 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