Secure Social Networking

Social networking sites are online communities filled with millions who are looking to meet new people as well as connect with old. These networks give us access to tools, options, and opportunities that previously were not possible. With all of the new ways to connect, many doors for cyber-crimes have been opened making it more important than ever to know the risks and how to protect yourself.

Hackers thrive on social networking sites, especially those who wish to find and use personal information that users willingly post to the world.  However, it is possible to use these sites in a secure way.

Top Tips to Stay Safe

Choose your social network carefully

Evaluate the site that you plan to use and make sure you understand the privacy policy. Find out if the site monitors content that people post. You will be providing personal information to this website, so use the same criteria that you would to select a site where you enter your credit card.

Use privacy settings

Many social networking sites and chat rooms have adjustable privacy settings, so you can restrict who has access to your profiles. Be sure to check this, as many sites' default settings are "public" or "friends of friends."

Accept friend requests carefully

Be selective about who you accept as a friend on a social network. Identity thieves might create fake profiles in order to get information from you.

Think before posting

A common way that hackers break accounts is by searching for the answers to your security questions, such as your birthday, hometown, high school class, or mother's middle name.  If these are the types of questions you use to secure your accounts, especially financial, do not post this information on a social networking site.

Don’t trust - verify

Just as you should verify that email messages are from indeed from a particular sender, be equally cautious about messages received on social networking sites.  Hackers can break into accounts and send messages that look like they're from your friends.

Be careful about installing extras on your site

Many social networking sites allow you to download third-party applications that let you do more with your personal page. Criminals sometimes use these applications to steal your personal information. To download and use third-party applications safely, take the same safety precautions that you take with any other program or file you download from the web.

Use multi-factor logins verification wherever possible

Login verification is a feature that helps you keep your account more secure. Instead of relying on just a password, login verification introduces a second check to make sure that you and only you can access your account. For example, only people who have access to both your password and your phone will be able to log in to your account.

Social networking sites will not ask you for your password

Websites should never email you, asking for your password. If they suspect your account has been phished or hacked, they may reset your password to prevent the hacker from misusing your account. In this case, they would email you a link to where you can reset your password.

Stay Safe!

~CS