Stay Safe Online: 5 Proven Methods to Protect Your Data on Social Media

Our social fabric is woven by social media. To such an extent that more than 56% of people on the planet utilize social media. With all of the sharing, chatting, and information exchanged between friends and family, social media can be a very real digital extension of who we are, so it's critical to understand how to keep your accounts safe from assaults and hacks.

Digital billboards for internet users can now be found on social media sites including Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and Telegram.

People discuss almost anything that is going on in their lives, including news, photos, and personal opinions. Aside from their close friends and family, viewers are drawn to the copious amounts of personal information that people post on social media.

1. Establish Secure, One-of-a-Kind Passwords

Strong and distinct passwords for each of your accounts serve as the first line of defense in terms of your protection. Managing numerous secure and distinct passwords can be a burden, especially with the numerous accounts we have; hence, there is a tendency to use and reuse weaker passwords.

2. Take a Private Turn

You can choose which social media sites, such as Facebook, Instagram, and others, allow friends to see only your posts and profile. Selecting this option helps preserve your privacy by preventing others on the internet from seeing what you say, do, and post.

3. Turn Down Friend Requests from Strangers

Examine the invites you receive with a cautious eye. Those who seem completely unfamiliar may be more than just that—they might be a phony account created to collect user data for fraudulent activities or a disinformation-spreading account. They're also in great numbers.

4. Before Checking In, Give It Some Thought

Nothing like broadcasting your whereabouts while out on the town or posting a picture of you on vacation to convey that "no one is at home right now." These posts essentially let your followers know where you are, even if you're not posting privately, as mentioned above, which might potentially reach a worldwide audience.

5. The Internet Will Always Exist

There's a reason this adage is well known. You may save and share your posts again, even if your profile is hidden or you're using an app like Snapchat that has "disappearing" messages and posts. Just snapping a screenshot will do the trick. Just don't post anything you don't want to be public, online or off.

Can You Manage Your Social Media Privacy?

The prevailing belief has consistently maintained that each person is responsible for their privacy on social media. It's believed that you can secure your online information and upgrade your social media privacy from "weak" to "strong" by simply checking a few boxes.

It is imperative to safeguard your online privacy before sharing any content on social media platforms, given the seeming absence of privacy on these platforms.

1. Read and Comprehend the Privacy Terms

All websites, including social media platforms, have privacy policies. Read and comprehend the privacy policies of every social media platform before creating an account and logging in.

2. Site Elements

Before you broadcast or share any messages, make sure you are comfortable with the social media platform's features. Be aware of who will view your communications and whether all platform users or only designated recipients will see them.

3. Modify Your Privacy Preferences

Review the default privacy settings on each social media website you use. The majority of social media's default privacy settings can let other online users share your information with them.

4. Biographical Details

When creating an account on numerous social media sites, you'll need to enter personal details like your complete name, age, birth year, and address.

5. Account Data

Think carefully before sharing any personal information on social media. Never divulge private information, like Social Security numbers, addresses of nearby schools, political affiliations, bank account details, information about a prior or current job, and general hobbies.

Published By: Meghna Batra
Updated at: 2024-10-05 17:40:40

Card Image

Ultimate Guide to Setting Up PHP Development Environment with Apache on Ubuntu 20.04

Comprehensive guide to setting up a PHP development environment using Apache on Ubuntu 20.04. Includes step-by-step instructions, installation of dependencies, SSL configuration, and setting up Laravel with Composer.

Card Image

Setup PHP Laravel Environment with Docker: Apache, Ubuntu, and MongoDB

Guide to setting up a PHP Laravel environment with Docker, including configuration for Apache, Ubuntu, and MongoDB.

Card Image

Setting Up CI/CD Pipeline for Laravel on GitLab with AWS EC2 Deployment

Guide to setting up a CI/CD pipeline for a Laravel project on GitLab, including deploying to an AWS EC2 instance and configuring SSH keys for remote access to a Git repository.

Card Image

Top 50 Docker Interview Questions and Answers

Prepare for your next DevOps interview with these top 50 Docker interview questions, designed to help you understand and master Docker's core concepts and practices.