Panda SecurityIf you’re a LinkedIn user, chances are that you have received at least one unsolicited message promising exciting job opportunities – even if you’re not actually looking for a new role. If you respond with interest, the recruiter may invite you to attend a virtual interview.
Everything looks legitimate at first glance. However, many of these ‘job opportunities’ are actually sophisticated phishing scams designed to install malware or gain remote access to your devices.
Key takeaways
- Scammers impersonate recruiters from real companies to build trust.
- Fake meeting invites push harmful software updates for tools like Zoom or Teams.
- Always verify job offers independently to avoid falling victim to scammers.
How the scam unfolds
Scammers start by contacting targets on professional networks like LinkedIn about a high-level position, such as Senior Manager. Once the recipient accepts the connection, they follow up with an email praising the recipient’s experience and proposing a virtual interview to discuss skills and company projects. They also promise to send a scheduling link for the Zoom call.
If you’re paying attention, you will start to notice some worrying details. First, the recruiter’s email arrives from a free service like Gmail instead of a corporate domain. When you check the recruiter’s name on LinkedIn, LinkedIn lists them as an employee – but not in human resources. Crucially, the promised job opening is not listed anywhere on the company’s website.
The malicious follow-up
Once the target expresses interest, a second email arrives from the recruiter mimicking an official meeting invite. The message urges you to click a button to view details within 30 days, or the company will withdraw the job offer
You will also note that the email is filled with shortened links disguised as coming from Zoom. If you click one it redirects to suspicious domains like meetingzs.com. On the website, fake alerts will claim that you must install a Windows update or meeting app patch to continue.
The update links point to a file like GoToResolveUnattendedUpdater.exe, which is a legitimate LogMeIn Resolve remote support tool. Once LogMeIn Resolve has been installed, cybercriminals abuse it to deploy ransomware or maintain persistent access to your computer for other criminal activities.
The attack is clearly effective as we are seeing an increase in LinkedIn spam with attackers posing as recruiters, vendors, or colleagues. They exploit job-hunting eagerness, tricking users into installing remote monitoring tools during “interviews.” Social engineering like this grants initial system entry without technical exploits.
Spotting the warning signs
How do you know if a fake recruiter is trying to scam you? Here’s a few things to look out for:
- You receive unsolicited outreach for jobs you did not apply for.
- The emails come from non-corporate addresses or have mismatched sender details.
- You are pressured to download software for virtual meetings.
- The recruiter’s website and emails feature shortened URLs or unexpected redirects.
- There is no matching job posting on the company’s career page.
How to stay protected
Some of these scam attempts are better than others – so there’s always a risk that someone will get through your defenses. You should keep operating systems, apps, and security software current to patch known flaws, reducing your risk of compromise.
Treat all unexpected job interview invites skeptically. Contact the company directly via official channels to confirm they are hiring. Also, try hovering your mouse over links to check destinations are safe before clicking.
And never, ever download installers from dubious sources.
Some other general techniques to protect yourself against scams include:
- Enabling multi-factor authentication, such as authenticator apps, on email and professional accounts.
- Install reputable anti-malware tools to scan and block infected downloads.
- Report suspicious messages to platform moderators.
FAQs
What if I already clicked a suspicious link?
Scan your device immediately with updated security tools like Panda Dome and monitor for unusual activity like unauthorized logins.
How common are job scam phishing attacks?
Reports show a surge in recruiter impersonations, targeting professionals across industries where remote work is common.
Should I respond to unsolicited job interview requests to verify legitimacy?
No. Avoid engaging with messages that fail the tests outlined above as replies confirm your email account is active. Scammers will then target you for further spam or tailored attacks.
Many people are desperately looking for work, and scammers designed this latest scheme to exploit their desperation. However, with a little care and attention, everyone can protect themselves against these attacks.
Prioritize caution in your job search. Verify every opportunity through trusted channels to avoid these traps. And share this awareness with your colleagues and contacts to help protect them against recruitment scams.
