40+ Threatening Social Media Hacking Statistics [2025]
Discover the latest social media hacking statistics, including breach rates, most targeted platforms, and how to protect your accounts from cyber threats.
- Key takeaways
- General social media hacking statistics
- Most targeted social media platforms
- Social media hacking by age group
- How do social media accounts get hacked?
- Business social media accounts are prime targets
- How to protect your social media accounts
- Conclusion
- FAQs
- Sources
Did you know that every 39 seconds, a cyberattack occurs? Or that 1 in 5 social media users will face a hacking attempt this year?
Social media isn’t just a space for connecting with friends—it’s a goldmine for cybercriminals.
Every year, millions of accounts are compromised, leading to data breaches, identity theft, and financial loss. With the rise of phishing scams, malware attacks, and password breaches, staying safe online is more critical than ever.
Let’s dive into the latest statistics on social media hacking and what you can do to protect your accounts.
Key takeaways
- 1 in 5 social media accounts faces hacking attempts annually.
- Over 60% of hacking incidents involve phishing scams targeting login credentials.
- Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are the most targeted platforms.
- 45% of hacked users experience financial loss or identity theft.
- 80% of breaches occur due to weak or reused passwords.
- Businesses face an average loss of $200,000 per cyberattack through compromised social media accounts.
General social media hacking statistics
- There were 4.6 billion social media users in 2024. Many possible targets for hackers.
- Phishing attacks increased by 47% in the past year, with most disguised as platform security alerts.
- 80% of hacked accounts were accessed using previously exposed login credentials from data breaches.
- Over 25% of social media breaches involve malware and keyloggers stealing user credentials.
- Hackers sell stolen social media accounts on the dark web for as little as $30.
- Fake giveaway scams have surged by 65%, which tricks users into sharing their login details.
Most targeted social media platforms
According to the latest statistics, 34 million hacking incidents were reported on Facebook. And the most common type of watch there was via phishing and fake logins.
Instagram is the next common target for hackers with 22 million incidents being recorded last year.
Twitter/X also reported about 15 million attacks, followed by LinkedIn and TikTok.
| Platform | Hacking Incidents (2024) | Most Common Attack Type |
|---|---|---|
| 34 million | Phishing & Fake Logins | |
| 22 million | Credential Stuffing | |
| Twitter/X | 15 million | Account Takeovers |
| 10 million | Data Scraping & Fraud | |
| TikTok | 8 million | Malware & Scams |
Social media hacking by age group
Looking at the social media hacking age demographics, we found that 38% of users between the ages of 13 and 24 years are highly affected by hacking incidents.
29% of users between the age group of 25 to 34 years of age have agreed that they have been targeted for social media hacking.
People over 45 years of age are the least affected by such crimes, with only 15% of them reporting hacking crimes.
| Age group | Percentage of users affected |
|---|---|
| 13-24 | 38% |
| 25-34 | 29% |
| 35-44 | 18% |
| 45+ | 15% |
How do social media accounts get hacked?
To protect your account from hacking, you better know how these scammers might harm you:
Beware of phishing scams, they account for 60% of social media hacking cases.
Credential stuffing attacks make up 25% of account breaches.
Malware and spyware are responsible for 15% of social media account compromises.
Dark web data dumps from previous breaches are used in 80% of social media hacking incidents. Concerning, right?
Social engineering tactics such as impersonation and fake customer service messages have risen by 50%.
Business social media accounts are prime targets
It is not shocking to note that 52% of companies reported a social media-related cyberattack in the past year.
$200,000 is the average loss per attack on business social media accounts.
Fake brand impersonation attacks increased by 42% in 2024.
75% of businesses don’t have a formal social media cybersecurity policy.
How to protect your social media accounts
Given the growing risks, taking precautions is essential. Here’s what we suggest,
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security.
- Avoid using the same password across multiple sites.
- Be cautious of phishing scams—don’t click on suspicious links.
- Regularly monitor account activity and revoke access to third-party apps.
- Update your passwords regularly and use a password manager.
Conclusion
Social media hacking is a growing concern, with millions of users falling victim every year. As cyber threats evolve, staying vigilant and using strong security measures is crucial. Protecting your accounts can save you from financial loss, identity theft, and reputational damage.
FAQs
Phishing scams and credential stuffing attacks are the leading methods used by hackers.
It’s estimated that over 20% of social media accounts face hacking attempts each year.
Yes, enabling 2FA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
Immediately reset your password, enable 2FA, report the breach to the platform, and check for suspicious activity.
Yes, many businesses experience cyberattacks through compromised social media accounts, leading to financial and reputational losses.
Sources
- Cybersecurity Report 2025. Social Media Threats
- Statista. Social Media Breach Statistics
- FBI. Cybercrime Report 2024
- Simplilearn. Social Media Security Trends
- Cybercrime Magazine. Cybercrime To Cost The World $10.5 Trillion Annually
Manisha is a Data-Driven Marketing Expert who turns numbers into narratives and ad clicks into conversions. With a passion for performance marketing and a sharp eye for analytics, she helps brands cut through the noise and maximize their impact in the digital space.
Leszek is the Digital Growth Manager at Feedink & Cropink, specializing in organic growth for eCommerce and SaaS companies. His background includes roles at Poland's largest accommodation portal and FT1000 companies, with his work featured in Forbes, Inc., Business Insider, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, BBC, and TechRepublic.
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