Professional networking sites such as LinkedIn have become a haven for malicious state actors, UK security services have warned. 

New research suggests that foreign spies are creating fake accounts on an “industrial scale” to target government officials and businesses. 

Vincent Devine, the Government Chief Security Officer said social media sites are now a key tool for spies seeking to access sensitive information. 

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

LinkedIn data shows that more than 11.6 million fake accounts were stopped in the first half of 2021 alone, highlighting a growing security risk for users on the platform.  

Research from the University of Portsmouth also reveals that around 16.8 million LinkedIn users across the UK may have accepted unknown contacts.

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The use of professional networking sites by malicious state actors has become so prevalent that UK security services have issued warnings to civil servants, government employees and individuals working in high-tech industries and academia.  

According to MI5 Director General Ken McCallum, the security service has observed more than 10,000 “disguised approaches” on social networking sites from foreign spies.  

Current and former civil servants are particularly attractive targets due to their experience and positions within government, MI5 warned.  

In response, a new app has been developed for users to vet potential spies. The ‘Think Before You Link’ app allows users to conduct their own “digital due diligence” and aims to increase awareness of the growing threat from digital espionage. 

Created by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI), the new app has been developed with input from behavioural scientists and includes features such as a profile reviewer which helps users report suspicious profiles or activity. 

“Foreign spies are actively working to build relationships with those working in government, in high-tech business and in academia,” McCallum said. 

“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.”

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