This YouTube Scam Is Scary: We Explain the Dangers and How to Protect Yourself

Just like messengers and social networks, this video streaming platform has become another target for scammers. In this article, we will discuss the main dangers and provide tips on how to avoid them.

On YouTube, you can find millions of videos catering to different interests and tastes, such as content from bloggers, movies, and music. But who would have thought that even the most popular video platform could also be a source of scams and traps set by cybercriminals? Unfortunately, this is the case, and when using it, you need to be as careful as possible. Dangers can lurk everywhere.

Pyramid schemes involving "likes" have become especially common. You may receive a message on your mobile phone with an offer from a supposed advertising agency, claiming you will receive money for "liking" an advertising video on YouTube. After completing a few tasks, the "agency" will ask for your personal and banking information, and may even make a small deposit into your account to gain your trust.

At some point, they will request a cash deposit with the promise of more income, but as soon as they receive the payment, they will disappear. Do not participate in any pyramid scheme that claims you can make money by giving "likes" on YouTube; it's cheese in a mousetrap.

First of all, be especially careful with comments left by other users under videos. Never click on links in some comments (the first and the most important rule of the Internet), as they can lead to malicious or phishing sites. Often, these pages pretend to be genuine in order to steal your personal data or infect your device with a virus or spyware.

Imagine that you followed a link to a fraudulent site. There, you are asked to take a survey to determine your financial situation in order to improve your income. Afterward, you will be prompted to enter your personal data through a special form and make your first investment. In reality, after receiving your money, the authors of the fake platform will vanish, leaving you with an empty wallet.

You should also be wary of videos offering free software tutorials or cryptocurrency ads. These could simply be a ploy to trick you into downloading malware. Be careful and double-check all the links you want to click on.