Social media offers a great channel to stay in touch or share life updates with family and friends. But you just want to ensure that you are sharing content with the right people, and not stalkers, identity thefts, or hackers. That’s why safety should be your primary concern when using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.
Over the years, social media has become an essential part of our lives. Its popularity is due to its ability to meet the needs and interests of many people. You can use social media for just fun; socialize with friends. You can also use it professionally- to market your products or services or to interact with your customers if you are running a business.
With all these benefits that social media has to offer, it can be quite easy to overlook the risks that it poses. Some of the risks include threats of criminal activities like bullying, hacking, identity theft, and stalking. Again, social media can make it easier for one to fall prey to impersonators who may ruin their reputation.
To make the most out of social media, you need to prioritize safety. This article gives you incredible tips to help you stay safe when browsing on social media. Keep reading to explore them.
- Adjust privacy settings
Almost all social media platforms have pre-set or default privacy settings. Unfortunately, many people usually feel that these settings are sufficient, and so, they never put any effort to make the necessary changes. But the truth is that these settings are never enough in terms of protecting your data or keeping you safe.
Changing your privacy settings can allow you to block strangers and people who you are not friends with from viewing your private information. These settings can also limit the information that you can include in search results. For instance, Facebook allows you to modify your settings so that only your friends, specific groups, friends and networks, or no one can see your photos, likes, status, videos, etc. You can adjust the privacy settings whenever you want, but you must log in to make the necessary adjustments.
- Share wisely
One of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to social media is over-sharing. Sharing too much personal information can make you an ideal victim for identity thieves and hackers. By posting, let’s say your birthday, where you live and work, or even your maiden name; it may be easier for hackers to follow you. Don’t post personal details such as home address or phone number. Avoid posting pictures of your home as it can make it easy for people with bad intentions to locate where you live. Remember that social media sites are visible to practically everyone. So be very careful about what you post because the last thing you want is for your personal information to get into the wrong hands.
Another crucial aspect of protecting your personal details means having strong passwords. Consider updating your passwords regularly. As always, make your password at least eight digits long and a combination of upper and lower case letters, symbols, and numbers. Remember to use a separate password for each social media account.
- Avoid posting your location
While it can be tempting to post pictures of your vacation at the beach or at the amazing new restaurant in town. But have you stopped to think if indeed you want people to know where you are the exact moment? Although it may seem like a simple thing, posting your exact location can possibly lead to dangerous situations, and that’s why it is not the best thing to do. You never know who is following you. Not everyone seeking your location has a hidden agenda. But at the very least, try to be cautious when posting your exact locations.
Final words
Social media is fun, but it can pose security threats. This is why you must ensure that you stay safe when browsing. It isn’t just you alone, if you have kids; you need to protect them while on social networks. Online predators can prey on them, especially if their privacy or security settings are not locked down. You can download the Highster mobile app to know what your kid is doing online. Here is a Highster mobile detailed review.
Social media sites are meant to be fun and entertaining so don’t let hackers, identity thieves, fraudsters, or stalkers spoil it for you. Always stay safe online!
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