Profile cloning explained
Profile cloning is when someone creates a fake version of one of your online accounts. They copy details like your name, profile picture, and other public information from social media platforms to trick people into thinking it’s really you. The goal is to fool your friends and family into trusting them. Profile cloning is dangerous because it plays on trust. Scammers don’t need to hack anything, they just rely on what you share publicly to impersonate you.
As an example, a scammer could create a fake Facebook account that looks like yours, and then send friend requests to people you know. Once those requests are accepted, the scammer could ask for money, personal information, or even send harmful links disguised as messages from you.
How is this different from hacking?
Cloning: The scammer does not break into your account. Instead, they copy public information to make a fake account.
Hacking: This involves someone actually breaking into your account and taking control of it.
What is account or profile cloning in cyber security?
In cybersecurity, cloning refers to the duplication of digital identities, data, or systems to deceive users or bypass security measures. While profile cloning specifically targets individuals by imitating their social media profiles, other forms of cloning can impact systems, data, and devices in more technical ways.
Other types of cloning in cybersecurity
Data cloning
This involves copying sensitive information during the storage or transfer of data. Cybercriminals use data cloning to gain access to confidential data or to tamper with it.
Device cloning
Attackers can replicate the credentials of a legitimate device, such as a smartphone’s SIM card or an authentication token, to impersonate it. This allows them to gain unauthorized access to secure systems or intercept sensitive communications.
System cloning
In this scenario, entire systems or environments are duplicated to exploit their vulnerabilities. For example, attackers might clone a corporate network setup to test potential ways to breach it.
Attackers use cloning tactics to gain unauthorized access, steal information, or compromise systems. Profile cloning focuses on individuals, whereas the other forms of cloning above often target businesses, organizations, or infrastructure.
How scammers clone your profiles and why
Profile cloning is surprisingly easy for scammers to pull off, which is why it’s so common. They don’t need to be technical experts; all they need is access to publicly available information on social media. Here’s how it typically happens:
Step 1: Collecting public information
Scammers look for profiles with visible names, profile pictures, friends lists, or even personal posts. If your social media profile isn’t set to private, they can see everything you’ve shared.
Step 2: Creating the fake account
Using the information they’ve collected, the scammer sets up a new account. They’ll copy your name, upload your profile picture, and fill in any other details to make it look convincing.
Step 3: Targeting your network
Once the fake profile is ready, the scammer starts sending friend requests to people in your network. They hope your friends or family won’t think twice before accepting, especially since the profile looks like yours.
Step 4: Exploiting trust:
Profile cloning leads to social engineering, where scammers exploit trust to manipulate people into sharing sensitive information or taking harmful actions.
After connecting with your friends, the scammers are free to engage in very shady activities, such as:
- Send messages to your network, asking for money claiming to be in an emergency.
- Share phishing links to target more people in phishing websites or malware
- Collect sensitive information, like passwords or personal details, from unsuspecting friends.
Why is profile cloning effective?
- It’s easy to pull off: Scammers don’t need to hack accounts or use advanced tools. Public information is often enough.
- It preys on trust: People are more likely to trust a message from someone they know, making them less suspicious of unusual requests.
Risks of profile cloning
Profile cloning can lead to serious consequences for both the victim and the people in their network. Here are the main risks associated with profile cloning:
Scams targeting your friends and family: Once a fake profile has been created, scammers often send messages or friend requests to people you know. Common scams include:
Requests for money: The scammer might claim to be in an emergency, such as needing money for medical bills or being stranded somewhere.
Malicious links: Messages from the cloned account may include links that install malware or lead to phishing websites designed to steal sensitive information including PII.
Personal data collection: The scammer might ask for information about you or your friends to use in future scams or to make their fake profile seem more legitimate.
Identity theft: A cloned profile is often the first step in stealing your identity. Scammers can use the details from your profile—like your name, photos, and personal information—to:
- Open fake accounts in your name.
- Apply for loans or credit cards using stolen details.
- Trick others into sharing more sensitive information, like Social Security numbers or banking information.
Reputation damage: If a cloned account posts inappropriate or harmful content, it could damage your reputation. Friends or coworkers might associate those actions with you, even if you weren’t responsible.
Emotional stress: Discovering that someone is impersonating you online can be deeply unsettling. Victims often feel violated, knowing their name and image are being used for malicious purposes. This stress can multiply if friends or family fall victim to the scam.
How to prevent profile cloning
Protect yourself with these steps:
1: Strengthen your privacy settings
Turn on two-factor authentication and set up strong passwords.
2: Make your profile less visible
Adjust your social media privacy settings so that only your friends can see your personal details, posts, and photos.
3: Hide your friends list
Many scammers rely on public friends lists to target your network. By making this private, you reduce their access to your connections.
4: Limit what’s public
Avoid sharing sensitive information like your full birthdate, location, or employer in publicly visible sections of your profile.
5: Be cautious with friend requests
Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know personally.
Double-check requests from people you’re already connected to. If you’re unsure, contact the person directly outside of social media to confirm.
6: Monitor your online presence
Regularly search your own name on social media platforms to spot any fake accounts. Stay alert for reports from friends or family about suspicious activity. You can also run your Digital Footprint scan and set up free Dark Web monitoring here: https://www.malwarebytes.com/digital-footprint
7: Opt-out of data sharing and tracking cookies
Opt-out of data sharing and accepting tracking cookies to minimize your data exposure. You can also remove your information from data brokers.
What to do if your Facebook account has been cloned
If your Facebook account has been cloned, acting quickly can minimize the damage. Here’s how to handle it.
These steps apply to other social media accounts as well.
1: Confirm the cloning.
Search for your name on the platform to check for duplicate profiles. However, scammers sometimes block your real account to prevent you from finding the clone. If this happens, ask friends or family to help identify and report the fake profile.
2: Warn your network with a post on your real account.
Notify your network sharing a message, like “There’s a fake account pretending to be me. Please don’t accept new friend requests or respond to messages from the fake profile.” This prevents your contacts from falling victim to scams.
3: Report the cloned account.
Facebook and other social media platforms have tools for reporting impersonation—go to the fake profile, click “Report,” and follow the steps to flag it as impersonation. Most platforms act quickly on these reports.
4: Secure your account.
Review recent login activity, change your password, and enable two-factor authentication. Check your privacy settings to make your profile less visible and protect your friends list.
Related articles:
What is Phishing?What is Social Engineering?
What is Spyware?
What is Identity Theft?
What is Smishing?