Public Profile Hijacking

Stop Profile Hijacking: Protect Your Business’s Digital Identity

Your online reputation is a valuable asset, making digital attacks an increasingly common threat.

Unauthorized entities, including directory services and even competitors, may claim, alter, or misuse your public profiles to benefit their agendas.

Let’s talk about how to identify and combat profile hijacking to safeguard your digital presence.

What Is Profile Hijacking?

Profile hijacking occurs when unauthorized parties claim or alter your online business profiles. They do this to gain control or manipulate your data. This can include directories like Google Business Profiles, Yelp, and Facebook, as well as niche industry directories.

How Does Profile Hijacking Happen?

Common methods of hijacking include:

• Claiming unverified profiles.
• Changing contact details like phone numbers to track calls.
• Redirecting website links to unauthorized pages.

This is why we tell our clients, and anyone who wants to listen, that it is critical to own your digital assets!

What Are The Risks Of Having My Account Hacked?

Profile hijacking damages your business in several ways:

• SEO Damage: Inconsistent information across directories confuses search engines and lowers your rankings.
• Lost Leads: Redirected phone numbers or website links mean missed opportunities.
• Brand Erosion: Customers lose trust when profiles display incorrect or misleading information.

How Do I Protect My Business From Identity Theft?

Here are actionable steps to prevent and resolve profile hijacking:

• Claim and Verify Profiles: Ensure all your business profiles are claimed and verified under your ownership.
• Audit Listings: Regularly review profiles for unauthorized changes. Tools like Google Search Console can help.
• Use Consistent Information: Ensure consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) data across platforms to strengthen your SEO.
• Limit Access: Only grant access to trusted marketing partners. For guidelines, refer to our advice on sharing access responsibly.

What Happens If My Cybersecurity Is Compromised?

If you suspect hijacking:

• Contact the platform’s support team to report unauthorized changes.
• Gather evidence, such as screenshots, to support your claim.
• Reclaim your profile and update all information immediately.

Make sure that you change your passwords to something that is hard to guess. Oftentimes, browsers will let you know if you’re using a common or easy-to-guess password. Avoid these and be sure to keep your passwords in a safe place.

Frequently Asked Questions About Profile Hijacking