Did you know that around seven out of ten Americans have at least one social media profile?
Although social media is a great way to connect with loved ones and discover interesting content, you always have to be wary of your online privacy.
Do you want to learn the best ways to stay safe online? Keep reading for seven must-know social media safety tips.
Some of the most important social media security information can be found on each platform's privacy settings page. There you'll be able to see who has access to all of your information. If you discover any privacy settings that make you feel uncomfortable, you can update them to control who can interact with your account.
Some platforms like Twitter and Instagram are more laid-back when it comes to interacting with strangers. While it's fine to follow any account you like, you have to be careful about who can see your content. Making those types of accounts private will allow you to research and approve each account that tries to follow you.
On more personal platforms like Facebook, you should only stick to adding people you know. If a friend's new account looks suspicious, you can always ask them about it in person. Some hackers like to recreate profiles of someone else so they can target that person's friends list.
Although it may be harder to remember multiple passwords, you're safest when you switch things up. If you use one password for all of your accounts, you're making it easy for hackers to steal everything in one attempt.
Some hackers create phishing scams that use fake links. If you click on one of these links, that hacker has access to your personal information.
Sometimes your friends' accounts can get hacked and spread these links. No matter who posts a link, you should never click on it if it looks suspicious.
Two-factor authentication is a simple but effective tool that can boost your social media security. If you ever try to sign in to your account from an unrecognized device, you'll receive an email or text with a verification code. This extra step can thwart any hackers who are trying to get into your profile.
Whether you have one or four social media profiles, you need to keep track of every email each platform sends you. If a stranger ever tries to log into your account, the network will notify you through email. If you ever receive one of these emails, it's a good opportunity to review your privacy settings and consider updating your password.
Social media is exciting for everybody, especially kids. If you're a parent, it's important to talk to your children about online safety precautions.
People who are new to social media need to understand that each post is permanent even if they decide to delete it. What people say and do online can have serious consequences in real life, such as college acceptances or job interviews.
With these seven social media safety tips, you can enjoy all of your accounts with peace of mind.
Do you want to learn more ways you can improve your online security? If so, Envision IT Solutions has all of the information you need. Check out our blog for more helpful security tips.
