Increase in social media profiles being hacked

COLOMBO (News 1st); In recent days there has been an increase in social media profiles being hacked or prominent figures being impersonated on social media.

News 1st reached out to Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, but we're yet to receive a response.

Danu Innasithamby is one prominent figure who found multiple fake profiles created using his pictures. 

Danu Innasithamby said his immediate profile picture and last four to five posts were used in the fake accounts, which led to people believing that it was him.

Messages are sent to others from these fake profiles requesting money or to click on a link.

Innasithamby said it is concerning because people he has a relationship with may think it is a request from him, while the older generation may be unaware of hacking or other related issues on social media. 

The official page of former MP Hirunika Premachandra's was also hacked. 

The former MP said after retrieving her account she found out that a group of people from a foreign country monitored the audience and the growth of accounts of high-ranked profiles in South Asian countries like India and Pakistan.

She said after social media accounts are hacked it is sold to a company or a person. 

Meta has been taking down hundreds of fake accounts globally, which were used to spread political propaganda. 

News 1st also spoke to an expert on the matter regarding measures social media users can take to secure their social media accounts and avoid being hacked.

When creating a social media profile users are advised to make the profile themselves, and avoid sharing the password and other personal details with a third party.

Using two-factor authentication is another way users can secure their profiles. It requires a code sent to your mobile phone in addition to the password, if you are logging in from a new device.

Avoid clicking on random links sent by other users, even if they are close friends, or sending money or sharing other personal details if requested to do so.

It is always advisable to send them a personal message on a different app if you are unsure of the authenticity of the message.