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Social media is an important part of our daily lives. Websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are the most popular social channels via which we communicate with our loved ones. With over 2.77 billion social media users today, such platforms provide an ideal platform for identity theft. It is the obligation of social media platforms to keep personal information safe, given their large user database of private information.
While surfing popular social media accounts, use strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and basic cyber hygiene to keep your personal information safe.
Two years ago, news broke that the most popular social media platform, “Facebook,” had saved “hundreds of millions” of account passwords unprotected. All of the passwords were in plain text and could be viewed by thousands of internal personnel. How can we rely on other platforms if businesses like Facebook have similar issues?
Millions of people are victims of data breaches and identity theft each year. If you fall victim, you may lose personal data as well as experience a great deal of stress. It occurs when you let your guard down and rely too heavily on these sites for security. Online safety is the most difficult task, but there are a few things you can do to keep secure on social media.
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Here are ten security tips to protect your social media account while still reaping the benefits of social media:
1. Use a password manager and a strong password.
People use many social profiles for a variety of reasons. Nonetheless, if your password is weak, the security of your account is jeopardized. Furthermore, if you use the same password for multiple accounts, hackers can access all of your accounts.
Make sure you use a different and strong password for each social account. Numbers, words, upper and lowercase letters, and special characters must all be included in your password. The more secure your password, the more difficult it is for a hacker to crack. At least once a month, change your password. Keep separate passwords for each social media accounts. Password managers can help you manage your passwords if you are having trouble keeping track of them.
2. Set up security answers and make changes to your privacy settings.
You may limit your audience on all social media platforms. However, many individuals are unaware of its significance. Every user must investigate, experiment with, and review those settings. You can also use security questions to protect your accounts. Instead of asking basic inquiries like “What is your mother’s name?” or “Where are you from?” ask questions that are difficult for everyone to think about.
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3. Activate two-factor authentication for all social accounts.
When you use two-factor authentication on your social accounts, you add an extra degree of security to them. When someone signs into your account from a new location, device, or browser, you will be emailed a password that must be typed in order to access your social account. This means that each time you log in, you will also be required to input a unique code provided to your phone by the social networking website. Many people believe it is time-consuming, but if you are serious about protecting your privacy, you must use two-factor authentication on all of your social accounts.
4. Take care of what you share.
Avoid providing personal information online since hackers and data mining firms value your information, which includes your email address, phone number, and social security number.
Examine your social media pages and attempt to keep them as empty as possible—the people who need to know your birth date, email address, and phone number already know them.
5. Keep your antivirus software up to date.
Maintain the most recent antivirus software on your system. Never use an internet-connected computer without anti-malware and antivirus software installed. There is a wide range of antivirus software available, both paid and free. Use antivirus software to protect your online activities and crucial data on mobile devices.
6. Use a VPN
If you want to keep your conversations, messages, and phone calls confidential, you can use a VPN, which is an encryption technology. A VPN allows you to encrypt and secure your communication. All of your data will be routed through a secure tunnel between the websites and your VPN provider.
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If you are seriously concerned about your privacy, you may be wondering, “How can VPNs safeguard my data?” “Even if all information travelling to and from the customer to the VPN is encrypted, all information transferred through the outgoing VPN server is subject to the ordinary rules of the wild internet,”.
7. Use an up-to-date browser.
For a more enjoyable browsing experience, use an updated browser. Use the most recent version of the browser, which is not vulnerable to hackers. Also, don’t save your passwords in your browser because hackers may simply access your saved credentials from the browser in just a few clicks if your system is hijacked.
8. Check your mailbox on a regular basis for strange login attempts.
Make it a practice to check your emails on a regular basis. Many consumers disregard emails from Facebook, Twitter, or other social media accounts. They may believe it is a notification from their friends, but it could be a login attempt by a hacker, and your social platform wishes to notify you.
If you receive a strange email or a login attempt to your account, change your password right away.
9. When you’re through with your accounts, log out.
One of the most important and best practices is to always log out of your system when you are through with it.
Conlusion:
10. Friend requests should be verified, and rogue accounts should be blocked.
Fake profiles abound on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. These bogus accounts could be created by a hacker, a suspicious organization, or even a rival who wishes to spy on your actions.
Accept no friend requests unless they are verified. If someone is bothering you, you should report and block such profiles.