There are some things you probably do on social media that make you vulnerable to hacks and attacks.
Cybercrime , so you need to increase your security online and on social media. Here are 6 things to watch out for:
You accept followers or friend requests from people you don't know!
By allowing strangers to view your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media profiles, you are essentially giving them access to your personal information.
You wouldn't say these things to strangers on the street because it would be weird and dangerous. The same goes for online.
According to a Kaspersky Lab, 31% of users accept links from people they don't know. This can expose them to even more unknown people and even advertisers and cybercriminals.
You click on links that your online friends send you without asking what they are!
Friends often share links to funny pictures or interesting articles. But it's okay to be wary of links that seem dodgy or come from someone you don't know or have rarely spoken to.
The survey showed that 26% of users would click on a link sent to them without hesitation or concern.
You are sharing personal details!
It's not just your banking details that you need to protect!
Accounts can be created with very little information, so if it's something you don't want to share with your employer, strangers, and friends, don't put it online.
About 1/3 of social media surveyed share their posts, check-ins, and other information not only with their friends but with anyone online.
This leaves the door wide open for cybercriminals to attack as users are unaware of how public their information can be.
You neglect your privacy settings
Both Twitter and Instagram let you reject followers, and Facebook has slightly more complex privacy settings.
If there are any specific details, photos, statuses or other information that you don't want others to know, make sure you use the protection provided.
Although over ¾ of internet users use social media, there is a clear lack of awareness about security issues.
All your passwords are the same or are they saved in your browser?
Although it's very convenient to have your passwords saved and entered directly as soon as you log in, if someone hacks browser , they will gain access to everything.
Strong passwords are made up of a combination of numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters and symbols. They should be strong and memorable, but not obvious, so forget your birthday!
You don't have security software!
Combined with vigilance and common sense, security software protects your digital life from Internet threats and safeguards your privacy and identity.
Social media users are playing a dangerous game and are essentially giving strangers easy access to their personal information.
To see if you are sufficiently informed about your online security, take the test here.
