Best Practices for Staying Safe on Social Media

Apr 24, 2018 | Website Design

Kevin Fouche

Best Practices for Staying Safe on Social Media

Posted by Kevin Fouche, Pixel Fish Director

Kevin handles the planning, design, launch and training of every website that Pixel Fish creates. He ensures that every website is highly engaging and aligned with our client’s goals. With over 20 years of design and web industry experience to draw upon, Kevin aims to pass on his knowledge to our clients and like-minded businesses wanting to grow their online presence.

Staying safe on social media and protecting yourself online isn’t hard. These 10 simple strategies can help protect your personal information and security.

Social media’s connective power enables us to stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues no matter where they are. Unfortunately, it can also open the door to identity thieves, hackers and virus writers. When using social media, either personal or business accounts, it is paramount to keep security and safety in mind, carefully choosing the data you share online.

10 Simple Ways You Can Protect Yourself On Social Media

1. Say no to the over-share

Hackers and identity thieves thrive on information. Posting TMI (Too Much Information) makes you vulnerable to identity theft and a hacker’s dream.

Hackers will often break into financial and other accounts using guessed passwords based on information people have openly shared on their social media accounts.

You may be unaware you are posting the answers to the security questions for your online accounts when you post simple information such as your children’s names, birthdays, or mother’s maiden name. Be mindful of the information you post and the security questions you choose.

Just as you wouldn’t make public that your home was empty while you were away on holiday, you should also avoid posting about corporate getaways or company conferences if your office is left unattended.

2. Assume what goes on the internet stays on the internet – permanently

As they say, ‘Once on the internet, always on the internet, and although posts or accounts may be later deleted, anyone may have already taken a screen-shot or saved images.

Read their privacy policies and how social network sites will use your information. Your information will likely be used to target you with advertising, which is why these sites are usually free.

3. Keep your friends close, and your enemies blocked

Be careful who you accept as a friend on social media. Identity thieves are known for creating false profiles to get information from others. Verify accounts where possible.

Competitors may monitor your business’ social media pages. Some may even troll your page with comments designed to undermine your business. Diligent monitoring of any comments on your social media pages and blogs will be worthwhile.

If you feel someone is threatening or harassing you, do not hesitate to block them or remove them immediately. Follow up with a report to the site administrator. Take screenshots before you delete any comments – you may need these if the problem should escalate.

4. Click with caution

Any links in messages on social media sites should be treated with the same caution as links received in email messages. Don’t assume a message comes from whom it says it’s from. Hackers are adept and sending fraudulent messages that can look like it is from a friend or a customer.

5. Customise privacy – one size does not fit all

Don’t assume the social network’s default settings are the best options for your protection, security and privacy. Instead, configure the options yourself.

6. Don’t give away your information

Some social media sites offer to scan your email address list to connect you to contacts also using the platform. The site may then use these addresses to email your contact list or even contact everyone you have emailed using the email address linked to your account. Avoid giving access to your contacts to social networking sites.

7. Don’t bolt the front door and open a side-door

Many social media sites allow third-party applications to be linked to your page. Hackers may use applications like this to gain access to your personal information. Use the same precautions when downloading anything from the internet when installing third-party social media apps.

8. The domino effect

This may seem obvious, but with busy lives and so many online accounts, it is very tempting to pick a tricky password and then use the same password across multiple accounts. Only one of those accounts must fall prey to a hacker for all your other accounts to be exposed!

Using random passwords unable to be guessed from a quick search of your personal information is vital. Incorporate numbers or characters where you can and download a password manager app to help you keep track.

9. Data leakage

Data loss is a big problem in business and while most incidents are likely to occur via file transfers or email, remember that blog posts, IM chat tools, social media posts and even CV content posted online can all potentially disclose proprietary company information, breaching data security.

If using LinkedIn, it is wise never to post your full CV. Identity thieves can use personal information such as your full work history to apply for loans in your name.

10. Search yourself

A regular Google search of your name may sound vain, but it is the best way to see what information and images you can see. You could also be alerted if someone is falsely using your identity online. While at it, it’s a good idea to search your business name and adjust your privacy settings.

Adopting these ten simple strategies will make you less likely to be easy prey for ill-willed individuals and make your social media experience safer. Stand out from your competition with a Pixel Fish website!

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Further Reading:
Getting Started With Social Media
How to Choose the Right Social Media Channels for Your Business

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Kevin Fouché, Pixel Fish Director