14 Essential Strategies for Maintaining Safety on Social Media

If you’re active on social media, you’re exposed to several risks. With digital advancements, the number of hackers has grown significantly worldwide.

It’s our responsibility to browse the web safely and engage responsibly on social media, considering potential risks. Sharing too much information and neglecting your accounts can lead to identity and card theft, hacking, photo leaks, and damage to your image.

Hackers can even use “ransomware” to block your sensitive personal information until you pay a certain amount. To avoid these issues, follow these tips for staying safe on social media:

First, make sure your email address and phone number are private. On Facebook, set your posts to be visible only to “Friends” or “Friends of Friends” and hide your friends list from public view.

On Twitter, adjust the “Discoverability” settings in the safety and security control section. For Instagram, set your profile to private.

To avoid getting hacked, enable two-factor authentication, which requires a unique code sent to your phone for sign-in. Since your phone number is unique, it will be harder for hackers to access your account unless they steal your phone or number.

Although social media is meant for sharing personal information, be cautious. Avoid sharing sensitive details like your address, credit card number, and anything else that could help a hacker find out more about you.

If you get a friend or follow request from someone you already know, check if the account is a duplicate. If it is, don’t accept the request. A fake profile can access your personal information.

Many third-party websites let you register using your social media profiles, but this can increase your risk. If the website is hacked, your social media accounts could be compromised.

Games and quizzes that ask for permission to access your profile and friends’ information can result in your email being sold to advertisers, leading to more spam emails.

Storing your passwords on a piece of paper is simple but effective. Auto-saving passwords is convenient, but not safe. Use strong passwords generated by password tools, randomize them, store them offline, and keep them secure.

It’s also wise to change your social media passwords every three months. If you use Facebook more, prioritize its password, or if you use Twitter or Instagram more, consider changing those even more frequently.

Setting up security answers is a basic but often overlooked strategy to secure your accounts. A one-word answer that only you know can protect you if there’s suspicious activity on your account.

Social media is full of links, and it’s your responsibility to avoid weird ones with unfamiliar extensions like .xyz or .ffz. Activate your firewall and use antivirus software to protect your computer and, by extension, your social media accounts.

Avoid logging into your social media accounts on public hotspots. Wait for a safer connection instead.

Lastly, use a separate email for your online activities and keep your personal email for personal and professional conversations.