As our world becomes increasingly digitized, hackers will continue to find new tactics and vulnerabilities that give them access to lucrative assets. Often, the effectiveness of these tactics relies heavily on human nature. This is the case with clickbait. Cybercriminals will use your curiosity and expectation to set cyber traps.

What Is Clickbait?

Clickbait is a method used to compel users to click on certain content. The content is specifically designed to draw you in. A catchy, thought-provoking headline, attention-getting content, or a sensational image or video is often used, and the information does not have to be true. In fact, clickbait is typically purposely exaggerated and misleading just to get you to click on a compromised link.

Why Is Clickbait Dangerous?

Clickbait can be used as part of a cyberattack or phishing scheme. The link or website a user clicks can be infected with malware and other malicious software. When a user’s system is infected, a hacker can gain access to sensitive data that can be used for ransom or sold or traded on the dark web.

Top Tips to Stay Ahead of Clickbait

There are several things you can do to identify and stay ahead of clickbait tactics. We’ve outlined the top five tips you need to know to better protect yourself:

• Be aware of potential threats. Every user must be vigilant and be aware that clickbait can be used for nefarious purposes.
• Exercise skepticism. Users must be cautious and discerning about what links they access. In an age in which a cyberattack attempt is a given, skepticism regarding the safety of links should always be in play. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• Actively avoid suspicious links. Before clicking on a link, verify that it is legit. One way to do this is to hover your mouse over a URL to view the real site address. This can help you avoid getting malware or accessing a malicious site.
• Watch your emotions. Clickbait is meant to elicit an emotional response and feed your curiosity. Learn to pause and pay attention to your emotions. Question why you have an overwhelming curiosity about what you’re looking at before you click on anything.
• Prioritize good cyber habits. Exercising safe cyber habits and engaging in best practices have to become second nature. A security awareness training program is an effective way to arm your employees with the information they need to be aware of cyberattack tactics like clickbait and how to present the best defense against them.

Top Tips to Stay Ahead of Clickbait

One of the best ways to reinforce good cyber habits is to keep cybersecurity top of mind all year long. Implementing a cybersecurity training program is a good place to start. TPx provides a continuous security awareness training program that combines interactive training courses, quizzes, and phishing simulations to ensure your employees are educated and know what to do when a threat appears. Contact TPx to find out more.