Is LinkedIn Safe? A Complete Security Guide for Professionals in 2025

To identify fake LinkedIn profiles, look for these red flags: incomplete profile information, generic or stock photos, limited connections, poor grammar, suspicious content sharing, and unwarranted requests for sensitive information or money. Legitimate profiles typically have complete work histories, authentic photos, appropriate connections within their industry, and professional communication.

Common LinkedIn phishing scams include fake connection requests with malicious links, messages claiming there’s an issue with your account, fake job offers requiring personal information, and impersonation of LinkedIn’s official communications. Always verify the sender’s identity, avoid clicking suspicious links, and never provide sensitive information through messages or emails claiming to be from LinkedIn.

To update your LinkedIn privacy settings:

1. Click on your profile picture in the top right corner
2. Select “Settings & Privacy”
3. Navigate to the “Visibility” section
4. Adjust settings for profile visibility, connection visibility, and activity broadcasts
5. Review and modify email and notification preferences under “Communications”
6. Check data privacy and advertising preferences under “Data privacy”

To report a scam on LinkedIn:

1. Navigate to the suspicious profile, message, or job posting
2. Click on the three dots (…) menu
3. Select “Report/Block”
4. Choose the appropriate reason for reporting
5. Provide additional details if prompted
6. Submit your report

LinkedIn investigates reports and takes action against accounts violating their policies.

Setting up two-factor authentication on LinkedIn:

1. Click your profile picture and select “Settings & Privacy”
2. Go to “Sign in & security” section
3. Select “Two-step verification”
4. Choose your verification method (text message or authentication app)
5. Follow the prompts to complete setup

This extra security layer significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized account access.

LinkedIn does not directly sell individual user data to third parties. However, the platform does use your data for targeted advertising and allows advertisers to reach users based on profile information and activity. LinkedIn’s revenue model primarily relies on premium subscriptions, recruitment services, and advertising rather than selling personal data. Users can control data sharing preferences in their privacy settings.

LinkedIn is designed for professional networking, so sharing professional information is expected. However, balance transparency with privacy by:

• Including professional details relevant to your career
• Avoiding sharing personal addresses, phone numbers, or financial information publicly
• Using LinkedIn’s privacy settings to control who sees your information
• Being mindful of what personal details you share in posts and comments

Yes, LinkedIn accounts can be hacked, particularly through:

• Weak or reused passwords
• Phishing attempts
• Malware infections
• Public WiFi vulnerabilities

Implementing strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular security checks significantly reduces this risk.

LinkedIn Premium doesn’t specifically offer enhanced security features over standard accounts. Its benefits primarily relate to networking capabilities, InMail messages, and profile visibility. All users, regardless of account type, have access to LinkedIn’s core security features like two-factor authentication. For a detailed cost analysis, check our guide on LinkedIn Premium costs to determine if the investment aligns with your needs.

Being selective about connections is generally recommended for security. However, many professionals do connect with relevant industry contacts they haven’t met personally. Before accepting such requests, verify the profile’s legitimacy by checking mutual connections, complete work history, and authentic engagement. Our comprehensive LinkedIn contacts and connections guide provides best practices for network building.

While technically possible in some situations, having multiple LinkedIn accounts generally violates LinkedIn’s terms of service. Learn more about the rules and exceptions in our article on whether you can have two LinkedIn accounts.