Online Privacy and Security on Social Media: Three Ways to Protect Them

Now more than ever online security should be a top priority for your business. “The amount of social media hacking has increased by 1,000% in the last 12 months” according to a report from Increditools in June 2023.

As a small business owner, it would be awful if your business’s social media accounts were hacked. Those whose accounts have been hacked, taken over, and in some cases, deleted permanently — can cause long-lasting damage to your customers and your business image. As a social media consultant, we go to great lengths to ensure our client’s social media accounts are secure, and here is how you can too;

There are a few basic steps that can add another layer of security to your social media accounts. Just about every source I’ve found has recommended these same three preventative measures. I’ve advised all of my clients and my own team to take these quick steps. I’ve done the same for my own personal accounts and to protect my own online privacy.

Use a Password Manager to Improve the Difficulty of Your Password

Too many of us are guilty of bad password habits. We reuse the same passwords or use common words (like nicknames, birthdates, pet’s names, the word “password” or 1234567). These make it all too easy for a hacker to guess your password and access your accounts. Longer, random passwords (+8 characters) with any combination of capital letters, numbers, and symbols work best. Of course, this makes it harder for YOU to remember all your different passwords for all your accounts.

You might consider using a password manager to keep all of your many passwords safe. These apps use a single, strong master password to unlock all your unique passwords across all your devices. These are a great way to safely “share” your password with others without giving away the actual login information. There are many effective password managers available. Two of the most highly rated are Last Pass and 1Password, and are available with free options. Some browsers like Google Chrome and Firefox have their own free, built-in password managers.

Set Up Two-Factor Authentication on Social Media

These days, most social media platforms offer some form of multi-factor authentication to flag unusual logins from unknown devices. This usually involves sending a verification code to a designated trusted device (usually your cell phone) that then needs to be entered to gain access. So, even if someone has hacked your passwords, you’ll get an email notification when someone tries to log in. This email notification is also vital to restoring your access, should you be hacked.

It usually takes only a minute or two to set this up on your social media accounts. Here are step-by-step instructions for Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn. It’s helpful to have your cell phone handy, as you’ll need to relay confirmation codes before they time out. X/Twitter and Instagram will also give you some random passcodes that you should keep in a secure place, should you not have access to your phone. Do not use a landline or office number, as hackers do not keep typical office hours. *wink*

Be Wary of Phishing Emails, Notifications, and DM’s

We’ve all gotten those sketchy-looking emails, notifications, and DM’s that ask us to Click Here to secure your “suspended” account. It used to be fairly easy to detect these false or “phishing” emails. But hackers are getting better at masquerading as legit sources. I’ve seen some phishing emails that emulate the email notifications you might get from a legit social media platform. This is one of the most common ways that folks get hacked. Once you click through the fake email, you’ve then opened the door for the hacker to take over your account.

Always check the senders’ email address for random-looking domains or names. Don’t attempt to reply to the sender. If you want to check that your account is truly safe, open a new browser tab. Then, you can log in from there. Don’t click on any links or forward the email to anyone. Don’t call any phone numbers listed in the email. Any action you take on the actual phishing email gives the hacker entre’ to your account. Simply mark it as Spam and delete the suspicious message.

Secure Your Social Media Accounts

It’s awful to think that there are dishonest people out there that are merely trying to cause trouble for others. Or that there are others who are trying to test the boundaries of online security. It’s part of the unspoken agreement of using any part of the Internet. You get access to the world and you acknowledge that this comes with inherent risk. Social media is a great source for entertainment, information, and community connection in that same vein.

It is possible to maintain your online privacy and security on social media in this day and age. You simply need to be more aware of how your personal information can be compromised and take appropriate steps to protect yourself and secure your social media accounts. These three tips outlined above can go a long way in keeping you and your business safe online.
 

If this post was useful to you, please share it with others. If you’d like help with your social media marketing, schedule a Discovery Call or Contact Us to discuss your needs.