Since we tend to face greater cybersecurity issues every day, users have had to find a way to adequately protect their credentials and keep their accounts under cyber criminals’ radar. To help you, , here are some of the most common security risks you should be aware of and a few tips for tackling them should they happen to you.
Online security risks
Data harvesting
While you can register and use most social media platforms for free, it’s likely that they’re harvesting your data all the time. There have been many incidents with social media platforms like Facebook violating user privacy on multiple occasions. You might not perceive the number of likes on your photos or number of shares as valuable data, but it could be a valuable asset to someone’s business strategy if analyzed and used correctly. Thus, keeping your social media accounts protected and private can prevent your credentials from being exploited through malicious actions.
Data leakage
Now and then, you hear that a social media platform becomes a source of a data breach. Millions of phone numbers, addresses, and other valuable data leak every few months and affect users in the most terrible ways. If your data gets out, it could quickly end up on a hacking website where it can be used for numerous malicious purposes and severely harm you in the long run.
Account hacking
Alongside losing your login credentials, personal data, and connections, having your account compromised means there can be much more severe consequences, such as losing followers and potential identity theft.
Phishing attacks
Phishing attacks lure people into sharing their credentials by making them click on malicious links or an infected posts. They can cause absolute havoc, so make sure to stay away from any suspicious links that you find on social media. Always check on a link before clicking it and when in doubt, avoid clicking the incriminating link altogether.
How to secure your passwords
Use strong passwords
Whatever you do, don’t forget about your passwords since they are the first line of defense against cyber threats. Create passwords that are at least twelve characters long and don’t include your personal information. Also, ensure that you don’t store credentials on your devices and don’t share your passwords with anyone.
Use a VPN
One of the best ways to shield your online activities is by using a virtual private network (VPN). VPNs encrypt your internet traffic to keep sensitive information private away from the eyes of snoopers which in turn, protect your online identity. Before downloading or signing up fo a VPN provider though, it’s important to research different VPN providers and check which plan suits your needs. Also, make sure you install a VPN on all of your devices for maximum security. For instance, the ExpressVPN app works great on all operating systems, and it’s easy to use even for beginners.
Implement 2FA
If you want to make sure that you’re the only person who can log into your social media accounts, add a second layer of security to your password-protected accounts. Two-factor authentication (2FA) most commonly entails using an SMS received passcode or a biometric feature like fingerprint scanning or voice recognition alongside your regular password. This way, you’ll make it a lot harder for cybercriminals to break through your protective mechanisms.
Turn on notifications for suspicious login attempts
Nowadays, social media platforms have a feature that’ll send you an email or an SMS message to check who’s been logging into your account. If you’ve been trying to log in from another device, click on ‘This was me.’ However, if you don’t recognize the activity you’ve been alerted to, you can report the login and prevent the intruder from breaking into your account.
Avoid public networks
Beware of using free Wi-Fi! Hackers frequently create legitimate-looking open networks with the purpose of collecting data from unassuming users while they’re browsing the web. Even if you connect to a rogue network only to check on likes on your latest Instagram photo, it could be enough for attackers to steal your most precious data.
Even though most of us use social media for fun and entertainment, there’s not much fun in getting your identity stolen. Thus, be aware of the risks you’re facing and create a cybersecurity framework that’ll effectively protect your social media accounts.