Your LinkedIn account is worth protecting

Over the past couple of hours, something has really stood out to me on LinkedIn.

I've seen several people posting that their LinkedIn accounts had been compromised.

Some had messages sent to recruiters that they never wrote. Others had their email addresses changed. A few were warning their network not to open attachments or respond to messages that appeared to come from them.

I don't know if these incidents are connected, but seeing several of them in such a short period was a good reminder of how valuable our LinkedIn accounts really are.

For many of us, LinkedIn isn't just another social media platform. It's years of professional relationships, conversations, recommendations, and career opportunities. If someone gains access to your account, they aren't just impersonating you. They're taking advantage of the trust you've built with your network.

The good news is that it only takes a few minutes to make your account much more resilient.

• Enable a passkey or multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• Use a password manager and make sure your LinkedIn password is unique.
• Confirm your recovery email address and phone number are up to date.
• Be cautious with unexpected links or attachments, even if they come from someone you know. A compromised account can look completely legitimate.
• If someone sends you a ZIP file or another attachment you weren't expecting, verify it through another channel before opening it. If you need to inspect it, avoid doing so on your primary work device.

Cybersecurity isn't about assuming the worst. It's about building good habits before you need them.

Have you noticed more posts like this today, or has this happened to someone you know? I'd be interested to hear what you're seeing.