The Rise of the Cybersecurity Influencer: Helpful Expert or Risky Trend?

From YouTube to Instagram, cybersecurity influencers are booming. Some teach valuable security tips, others peddle misinformation.
In July, a popular influencer advised disabling firewalls for gaming performance — leading to a spike in infections among teenage followers. The challenge lies in verification. Unlike traditional news outlets, influencers face no content regulation. Viewers often lack the technical background to spot flawed advice.
Cybersecurity professionals must step into the public education space or risk losing narrative control to trend-chasing personalities.