How To Secure Your Social Media Accounts To Protect Yourself From Hackers

With the amount of time and number of social media accounts we have, the risk of getting hacked increases. Cyber criminals are always looking for ways to access your private information and your social media accounts, like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat profiles, are a possible gateway.

However, there are ways to protect your accounts from hackers while uploading selfies and posting on social media.

7 Ways To Keep Your Social Media Accounts Secure

Third Party Apps

When downloading an app, it usually asks if you want to link your social media profile to connect with others or to open up an account. Although it can be easier than manually setting up a profile, it could put your information risk. Try not to use your social media accounts with third-party applications, such as games or other apps, since they could compromise your information.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use your social media accounts with third-party applications, but you should be careful which third-party apps you link to your social media profiles. You should also read what the app is requesting to do, such as the ability to post on your Facebook account on your behalf or other actions. Make sure you review which apps are authorized to use your social media accounts in your profile’s settings.

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Secure Your Device

Start from where you use social media the most: your smartphone. In case your device gets stolen, make sure it is password protected.

Individuals can still break into your smartphone even if it’s locked, and if that’s the case, you can erase all data on your phone when stolen or lost. For example, on the iPhone, under Touch ID and Passcode, there’s an option to erase all data on the device after 10 failed passcode attempts.

Use Strong Passwords

People have a habit of using the same password for emails and social media accounts. If your email password is compromised, it’s pretty certain that your social media accounts could be hacked, or vice versa. Make sure you have different passwords for all accounts and that those passwords are strong. You can use a password generator to help create strong passwords.

Password Managers

The reason people use the same password is because it’s hard remembering all passwords for multiple accounts. To help with this, you can use a password manager, like Dashlane, to keep your passwords in order.

Logging In On Different Devices

Be careful when logging in on other devices or computers and using wireless connections that are not secure or trustworthy, such as coffee shops and public hotspots. Try to avoid logging into your social media account on public computers. If you absolutely have to, make sure you log out your account and delete your history. Also check on your social media accounts and review what devices your account is logged into via settings.

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Two-Factor Authentication

Make sure you use two-factor authentication for your social media accounts. This will send a code by text or email to verify you’re the person logging into your profile. You should also set up log in alerts for your accounts, so you can spot any suspicious activity.

Suspicious Links

Links are known to be dangerous. Be careful when opening links when you’re on social media because they could include malicious content. You should also be wary of links friends send you since their account might be hacked and you, and they, might not even know it.