Teens Download Malicious Software via TikTok Thanks to Scammers

TikTok is a powerful social influence tool that can easily convince its multi-million teenage user base to do almost anything – from conducting crazy face-waxing experiments to engaging in life-threatening cha-cha slides to eating frozen honey. No wonder then that the video app with its trusting audience has become easy pickings for numerous malicious advertising campaigns presented to TikTokers in the guise of free Steam keys and “hacked” Among Us game versions.

What once used to be the scourge of only a few specialized gaming platforms has now come to TikTok –the most fertile soil that scammers could have possibly hoped for. There is an ever-increasing number of dubious TikTok gaming-themed accounts that promise to dish out tons of free stuff to Steam users and Among Us fans.

Instead of getting freebies, TikTok users end up with malware downloaded automatically to their devices through ads.

Such techniques are not new; however, combined with the powerful credibility potential of TikTok videos featuring a real person’s pitching, these attacks become more targeted and dangerous. The young TikTok audience is more vulnerable in the face of scammers who use genuine-looking and casual-sounding video clips to convince them to take specific faulty actions. Internet safety experts say the best way for parents to protect their kids in this situation is through providing subtle security guidance and explaining how such gaming-themed accounts are used to spread viruses.

Have you encountered any malvertising TikTok videos recently? Which tricks do kids fall for most often? Speak your mind in the comments below, and feel free to share this post with your friends who spend a lot of time on TikTok!