The Most Common Cyber Threats Facing YouTubers and Influencers Today

YouTubers Are Getting Hacked

Many channels are gold mines for hackers, especially if they have an active audience. People have been hacking channels and posting cryptocurrency live streams on them for a while. Of course, hackers can steal a channel for many different reasons.

The biggest reason a person wants to steal a channel is that people trust the words of that YouTuber. If the channel posts about a new cryptocurrency or another product, people will trust it and not look into it further. Hackers may also change a channel’s name and branding if the scam doesn’t seem in line with the YouTuber they’ve hacked.

Someone may hack a channel for other reasons, such as ransom. A hacker may demand money to get the channel back.

Don't Think It Only Happens to the Big YouTubers

If you're a small YouTuber, you may believe you don't have anything to worry about, as hackers only go after the big fish. However, a hacker may be interested if you have an audience listening. Another reason why a smaller channel is prime hacking bait is because it may have less security around it. Also, getting YouTube's attention can be much more complicated if a smaller channel is hacked. If you want to grow, click here if you’re interested in growing your channel through a reliable service. Using safe services will prevent your data from being compromised, and can stop your account from getting hacked now, and in the future.

Ways Channels Get Hacked

Phishing

The primary way that channels get hacked is through phishing.

Many hackers send an email claiming to represent a legitimate business interested in paying for a sponsorship. Since many channels get their money through ads, many will be interested. There will be an email the hacker will claim will let the YouTuber see more of the product or claim that it's a form they can use to show their interest.

Instead of it being a form, however, it’s a malware website designed to grab “session cookies,” which the hacker can use to log in to their profile. This technique is known as “pass the cookies,” and it’s not the kind of cookies you want to share with another person.

Guessing a Password

If a YouTuber has an easy-to-guess password, that’s all the hacker needs. Some hackers may have different ways to brute force the password as well.

A Lack of Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, means that a person will receive another way to log in if the device is not recognized. Usually, this comes in the form of a phone notification or answering an email. Some people keep 2FA off because it's a hassle, but if someone knows your login credentials, there's no extra security measure.

Spy Apps

Some YouTubers may be the victim of a spy app on their phone. If a hacker knows their iCloud information or can physically access their phone, they must install a spy app. The app will then send real-time information to them, including their login information.

You may know that there's a spy app on your phone if the battery drains faster than it should or if you're suddenly using more data than usual. However, some spy apps are discreet and require a professional to detect.

Prevent Yourself from Being a Victim

While it's impossible to 100% protect your account from hacking, several measures you can implement will significantly reduce your chances. Here are some ways.

Have a Strong Password (And Change it Often)

It's tempting to make your password easy to remember, but doing so means that a hacker may figure it out if they know anything about you. Be sure to have a strong password, and change it now and then. If you're afraid you will forget it, use a password storage app or put it in your notes.

Never Tell Anyone Your Information

Never tell anyone your login credentials, even your cat! If a service claims they need your password, you know it's a scam.

Be Skeptical About Links and Emails

If an email claims to represent a company, research whether they are legit. Even if they are, a phisher may be posing as them. Look for typos or links that do not match the official company link.

Use a virus scanner to see if the link is safe. If unsure, open the link with an incognito browser to avoid stealing your cookies. If all else fails, reply to the email and ask for more information.

Turn on Two-Factor Authentication

Be sure that 2FA is on. Go to your Google Account, select Security Signing in to Google 2-Step Verification Get Started. Then, follow the steps. Once you've done so, be sure it's working by logging into a device you usually don't use or try incognito mode.

Take Action Immediately

If you’re hacked, then time is vital. Each second that passes means that it’s less likely that you can get your account back.

You can visit Google’s Recovery Page to learn several ways that you can get your account back. This page has several resources that you can look to if you want to learn how you can get your account back or if you want to learn how to prevent it in the future. If your account is hacked, change your password immediately.

Final Thoughts

Hackers are everywhere, and many are stealing YouTube accounts to spread their scams across the platform. Whether your channel is big or small, you can become a victim. To avoid being hacked, never share your password with anyone, and avoid suspicious emails. If you are the victim of a hacking, contact Google immediately.

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