The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has urged the public to exercise caution when encountering links shared on social media platforms claiming to offer gifts from popular brand names and trademarks.
According to Charuka Damunupola, Senior Information Security Engineer at SLCERT, these links are often distributed through SMS, WhatsApp, X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook (now known as Meta), and even through phone calls.
Damunupola advises individuals to verify the legitimacy of such requests before engaging with them, especially if they are received from within one’s friend groups.
SLCERT’s investigations have revealed that clicking on certain social media links can compromise personal privacy. Clicking on fraudulent links can result in the exposure of sensitive information such as National Identity Card (NIC) details, driving license information, bank account details, One Time Passwords (OTPs), and workplace information.
Furthermore, these links may prompt the download and installation of third-party mobile applications designed to pilfer personal data stored on mobile devices.
The SLCERT also emphasizes the importance of refraining from sharing these suspicious links with others, as doing so could potentially make others vulnerable to cyber threats.
Source: Daily mirror