Identity theft and fraud reports received by the Federal Trade Commission have almost doubled from 2019 to 2020. Stolen identities are used for stealing government benefits, opening bank accounts, applying for credit, and a whole multitude of other creative ways to steal money from others.
Social media safety is important because as much as we love social media, the fact is, that it potentially offers rich pickings for the criminal mind. Of course, not everyone is after your money; some people are after a lot more and that is a scary thought. In this article, you’ll read about 3 crucial tips that will help keep you safe on social media.
1. Don’t Be Password Lazy
Hackers have got more and more sophisticated at breaking into social media accounts. Unfortunately, we can make that even easier for them when we get lazy in choosing and managing our passwords. Most accounts recommend you to use several different character types with a minimum number of characters.
Make sure you follow these simple rules and you will increase the effectiveness of your password. Another related aspect is not to keep using the same password for multiple accounts. It is also a very prudent idea to change your password often.
2. Separate Private and Public
Most social media accounts will allow you to choose the option of making your account private or public. Some accounts allow you to choose which posts are public and those that are private. You can check out some comparisons between two big social sites here as an example.
Bottom line is that if you choose to make your entire account public you’re exposing a lot of potentially sensitive information about yourself to everyone and anyone. It is far safer to make your account private and only share it with your verified connections and friends. If your social media platform allows you to choose which posts are public, then that may give you the added flexibility you want.
3. Say No to Strangers
This is a very old adage and familiar to most. On the internet, this is even better advice than it is in person. If you don’t know the person in some way, then it is far safer to simply say no to any requests to connect to your account.
While it is true many of those requests will be harmless, hidden among them are more sinister motives. Stay protected by saying No. You can be friendly and socially open in person when you are aware of a lot more about the person you are interacting with.
Remember Social Media Safety
In this article, you’ve read about 3 social media safety tips that are essential for keeping you and your personal data protected. These tips are common sense, but it’s amazing how easy it is to neglect them. Social media is such a normal everyday part of life that it’s very easy to forget the dangers.
Make sure you remember to follow the tips in this article and you’ll stay safe on social media. Check out articles more articles with tips and great advice for life and business on our site.