Have you ever wondered how a small oversight in securing your digital presence could lead to major vulnerabilities? Recently, I stumbled upon a fascinating case of broken link hijacking, and here’s the full story of how it unfolded.
The Discovery
While browsing Instagram, I noticed that a popular content creator with nearly 300k Instagram followers had a link to their YouTube channel in their bio. However, upon clicking on the link, the handle referenced—@abhishekicc—was unregistered on YouTube. This unclaimed handle posed a significant risk, as it could be exploited by attackers to host malicious content or impersonate their brand.
The Experiment
To demonstrate how serious this issue could be, I decided to conduct an ethical experiment:
1. On Instagram, @indian_cyber_club posted a story with the link to an Instagram account about the upcoming class he is starting on his YouTube channel
2. I have opened that link and checked the dio section for a link. There, I found a link to a YouTube channel so, I clicked on the link.
3. I have observed that the channel with the handle @abhishekicc is unregistered.
4. I temporarily claimed the unregistered handle @abhishekicc on YouTube.
5. I redirected the link in their Instagram bio to my channel.
6. As expected, users clicking on the link assumed it was their official channel and began subscribing to my channel!
7. I’ve shared it on YouTube through a community post.
This wasn’t an attempt to harm their brand but to showcase the potential impact of such a vulnerability.
The Reaction
After completing my demonstration, I reverted the handle back, ensuring that @abhishekicc became available again. I also shared this experiment in a community post on YouTube to raise awareness about the dangers of broken link hijacking.
Surprisingly, the YouTuber himself reacted to my post. This is the link to his video
Key Takeaways
This case highlights some crucial lessons:
- Always secure your digital assets: Whether it’s a domain name, social media handle, or linked resource, ensure it’s registered and under your control.
- Broken links are opportunities for attackers: Abandoned or unclaimed links can be exploited to impersonate brands or distribute malicious content.
- Awareness is the first step to prevention: By sharing this story, I hope to encourage others to audit their digital presence regularly.
Links to Explore
- 🎥 Watch the YouTuber’s reaction video and subscribe: https://youtube.com/shorts/bLAGAYMe5vw?si=w2d1pLwsGBq0D7o7
- 📱 Follow the YouTuber’s current Instagram handle: @indian_cyber_club
- 💼 Connect with the YouTuber on LinkedIn: Abhishek Parashar
- 🌟 Check out my YouTube channel: TheCyberReactor
Let’s stay vigilant and protect our digital spaces! Share this story to spread awareness and help build a safer online community.