Fake Profiles on LinkedIn, a Gateway to SpearPhishing Attacks

Posing as recruiters, the LinkedIn fake accounts allow hackers to map the networks of business professionals and gain the trust of those in them.

Symantec has worked with LinkedIn to remove all of the fake accounts it identified.
By making these connections, criminals can entice users to give up personal details, direct them to malware-laden websites and, if they can get their email addresses, launch spear-phishing campaigns – targeted emails that aim to steal personal information.

If you suspect that you’ve identified a fake LinkedIn account, report it.

Read the Symantec blog post here.