CPNI 'Think before you Link' app targets fake social media accounts

A new app which can better identify fake profiles on social media and professional networking and take steps to remove them sites has been introduced.

The 'Think Before You Link' app, part of the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure’s (CPNI) ‘Think Before You Link’ campaign, helps those who may be receiving disguised approaches, helping them to conduct their own digital due diligence before accepting unknown contacts online.

In the last year over 10,000 UK nationals from across business and society have been targeted by foreign spies and other malicious actors using LinkedIn and Facebook,

In the first half of 2021, LinkedIn stopped 11.6m fake accounts at registration. Estimates based on the University of Portsmouth’s research findings suggest that around 16.8m LinkedIn users may have accepted unknown contacts, with 1.6m of them working in industries classified as sensitive.

The research, carried out by Professor Mark Button and Dr David Shepherd of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Portsmouth, surveyed 1,000 UK professionals who use either LinkedIn or Facebook for professional networking. The data was collected in April 2022.

The app has been developed with behavioural scientists to include features such as a profile reviewer, which will help individuals identify potentially fake profiles and report anything they deem suspicious.

Director General of MI5 Ken McCallum said:

“MI5 has seen over 10,000 disguised approaches on professional networking sites from foreign spies to people up and down the UK. Foreign spies are actively working to build relationships with those working in government, in high-tech business and in academia.

“The Think Before You Link app helps those who may be receiving disguised approaches, helping them to conduct their own digital due diligence before accepting unknown contacts online.”

Vincent Devine, the Government Chief Security Officer said:

“Hostile actors can easily use social media to conduct online research into an individual's interests, activities and personal and professional connections. They can then use that information to target the individual online.

“The Think Before You Link app is an effective way for government staff and the public to protect themselves against those threats."