Privacy and security of information over the internet are one of the most growing concerns of information technology experts these days. Some of the analysts are of the opinion that we have started to share too much information online, affecting our lives in a major way. Techtimes.com reports it is also affecting our mental health, making us anti-social and lowering our self-esteem. While that’s another aspect, which we will discuss sometime in the future, some professionals believe that internet users need a more responsible approach toward password security to stay safe online.
Social media is one of the most popular concepts of the modern world, with dozens of social websites playing a massive role in helping people and groups interact with each other. On social networking websites, we share incredibly personal information, without even realizing the threats of data we endanger. Follow the guidelines I have given below to protect your social media accounts:
1 – Use Strong & Unique Passwords
One of the primary reasons behind the success of black hat hackers has been the lackluster approach adopted by internet users all across the world about password security. People often opt for natural and guessable passwords and use them for multiple accounts in order to have more convenience. While doing so, however, they put their information at great risk. I highly recommend that you create and maintain strong passwords.
A strong password contains at least eight characters and a combination of capital and small letters, symbols, and numbers. Once you create this password, remember you should change it every three to four months. Furthermore, you must never use the same password for multiple accounts. Make sure your passwords are not even guessable for your friends, family members, or colleagues.
2 – Set Social Media Posts to Private
If you have not deliberately configured your privacy settings, the chances are high that your Facebook posts would be set as ‘Public.’ If everyone on the social media can see your activities, your chances of attracting the attention of a hacker with malicious intentions would naturally become greater as thousands of criminals use social networking websites to scout for potential victims. Having your privacy settings at ‘Private’ is even more important if you regularly share posts about your children and family.
Some social networking websites tinker with their privacy settings quite often. Therefore, you should keep checking your privacy and security settings at least once or twice a month.
3 – Do Not Add Random Friends
I strongly advise that you have only those people on your Facebook friends list whom you know in real life. Do not add random people to your friend’s list because there are so many fake profiles on the internet, so you would never know who might be a hacker. Similarly, for your Twitter account, you should block all fake followers.
4 – Watch for Doppelgangers
You must keep your eyes open while using these social networking websites. Check every now and then if someone has created a duplicate account, using your pictures, name, and other information. As soon as you spot one, immediately report that profile to the concerned website and ask your friends to do the same.
5 – Report Inappropriate Content
If you are facing any kind of harassment on these social networking websites, you must document it by reporting to the site. Any content that you feel is inappropriate, you should report it as well. If you are on Facebook, report this way, and if you are on Twitter, get help on reporting from here. At last, it is our duty to make these social sites spam-free and report abusive or harmful content.
