Social Media – Security & Safety

Security and safety recommendations for individuals and businesses using social media.

Engaging in social media can be enjoyable and enlightening, but it also comes with risks.

Here are security and safety recommendations for individuals and businesses using social media:

1. Privacy Settings:

• Always familiarize yourself with the privacy settings of each platform.
• Make profiles private, especially for personal accounts.
• Limit who can see your posts, your friend list, and your likes.

2. Personal Information:

• Avoid sharing sensitive personal information like your home address, phone number, Social Security number, or financial details.
• Be cautious when posting about vacations in real time – this informs people that your home may be empty.

3. Strong, Unique Passwords:

• Use a strong password that includes a combination of numbers, letters (both upper and lower case), and special symbols.
• Avoid using easily guessable passwords such as “123456” or “password.”
• Use a unique password for each social media account.
• Consider using a password manager to store and remember complex passwords.

4. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):

• Enable two-factor authentication for all accounts that offer it. This adds an extra layer of security in case your password gets compromised.

5. Be Cautious of Links and Downloads:

• Avoid clicking on suspicious links, even if they appear to come from friends.
• Watch out for phishing attempts where scammers try to lure you into providing your login details.

6. Beware of Friend Requests:

• Only accept friend requests from people you know.
• Periodically review your friends/followers list and remove any unfamiliar names.

7. Monitor Account Activity:

• Regularly check for signs of unusual activity. Most platforms have an activity log that shows where and when your account has been accessed.

8. Limit Third-Party Apps:

• Only grant access to third-party apps that you trust.
• Periodically review and clean out any apps or websites that have access to your account.

9. Keep Software Updated:

• Ensure your operating system, apps, and any security software are always up to date to protect against vulnerabilities.

10. Think Before You Post:

• Remember that once something is on the internet, it’s hard to completely remove it.
• Avoid controversial or inflammatory topics that can be taken out of context.
• Be respectful and think about the consequences of what you share.

11. Educate Yourself:

• Be aware of the latest scams and threats on social media. Cyber threats evolve constantly.

12. Log Out:

• Always log out from shared or public computers.

13. Use Encrypted Messaging:

• If discussing sensitive information, consider using encrypted messaging apps like Signal or WhatsApp.

14. Educate Children and Teens:

• If you have young ones using social media, educate them about the risks and ensure they know how to protect themselves.

15. Backup Data:

• Periodically backup your data, including contacts, photos, and posts, so you can recover them in case of a security breach.

By following these recommendations, you can minimize risks and enjoy a safer experience on social media platforms. Remember, always stay vigilant and use common sense when interacting online.