Information Hackers Can See
Never share your personal information on social media. It’s always a trade-off between protection and connection. The more you share, the more information about yourself can be stolen. It’s hard to balance the need to protect your privacy and connect with people on social media. There are various ways to do so, such as setting up security and sharing.
Tips
Social media is full of private information that everyone can share. Knowing what information cybercriminals can use will help you avoid posting inappropriate content.
- No Sharing Live Location
Sharing photos on vacation can be fun, but it’s also important to avoid posting them on social media, so everyone knows you’re away. Instead, take photos during your trip and only share them once you return. You should also avoid posting about your daily routines on social media. Stalkers could publish stories about your “6 a.m. workout” to tell them they can find you whenever you’re away.
- No Sharing Identification Numbers
Even if you don’t think that sharing your personal information on social media can be harmful, it’s still possible to get your identity stolen. You should never share your driver’s license number, Social Security number, or bank account details on a platform used for fraud. When we’re first-time drivers, entrepreneurs, and proud world travelers, it’s easy to think of our passports, licenses, and first paycheck as something to share on social media. However, never post anything that’s personally identifying.
- Less Information in Your About Section
Social media platforms allow users to share various types of personal information online. However, this information does not mean you must fill it in to be effective. You should also avoid filling out too much information on your social media profile. For instance, enter your industry instead of a specific company. Even seemingly harmless details like your hometown or maiden name can be used by hackers to access your security questions.
- Only Add People You Know
Never accept friend requests or followers from people you don’t know. If you’re planning on creating a public persona, create a separate account instead. Even if you’re careful about what you post on social media, your friends can still see what others say about you. Anyone following your friends’ list can easily find your birthdate and other personal information.
The people behind fake accounts can also use these accounts to carry out fraud and scams. They can even run blackmail operations.
- Strong Passwords
Having strong passwords is our first line of defense against hackers. They can help keep them from accessing your financial and other personal information.Don’t use a password, a username, or easy-to-find online data such as your anniversary. These are all insecure, and they can also expose sensitive information.
A long password is also a substantial security measure. Ideally, it should have at least 12 characters. This ensures that it’s harder to break.An important factor you should consider when protecting your online identity is ensuring that your password is unique to every site you use.
This method was used by the hackers who stole celebrities’ private information, such as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.It’s hard to keep track of all of the secure passwords that you use online. Having a password manager can help keep track of all of your passwords.
- Use Two-Factor Authentication
In addition to your password, social media platforms can also use two-factor authentication to protect users from unauthorized access. This method requires a one-time code sent or received from an app or text message. These are more secure since they only require a code for a particular time. They’re also stronger since they need a user with a suitable device to access their account.