How to protect social media from hackers?

 Social media has progressed greatly since its beginning stages. What initially started as a way to connect with friends from all over the world has now become something that companies look at when hiring new employees. In today's digital age, it's not uncommon for people - especially teenagers - to post what they think is "cool" online in hopes of impressing those who they know will be viewing their page. However, what many people don't realize is that your social media following can include anyone from your friends and family to future employers - and depending on your privacy settings, everyone in between.

Few Things to Consider Before Posting on Social Media Post

·         Is it something you could be held responsible for?

·         Is it okay if your teacher or future boss sees this?

·         Is it something you would let your parents see?

While social media can be fun, it's important to be aware of the risks that come with it. Here are some of the Risks that you should watch out for:

What are the Risks of Social Media?

With all of the information that's floating around on social media, it's no wonder that hackers have such an easy time snagging people's data. Hackers are constantly finding new ways to access people's information, and social engineering is one of their favorite methods. They'll send you an enticing message on Instagram, email, or any other social media platform, but what you don't realize is that these seemingly harmless messages are actually injected with malicious code that allows hackers to steal your identity, inject malware into your computer, or steal your financial information - just to name a few of the possibilities. So be careful what you click on, even if it seems like it's coming from a friend!

 Hackers use URL shortening tools to disguise malicious links as trustworthy websites. Unsuspecting people click on these links, not knowing that they're being taken to a dangerous domain. This is how hackers achieve their goals.

Identity theft is a common crime committed by hackers on social media. They acquire your personal information which is stored on social media sites and use it to their advantage. Even if you keep your profile in the highest security setting, there are ways that identity thieves can bypass them. Most social media sites require mandatory information like your email address and birth date, which makes it easy for an identity thief to hack into your email address by using publicly available information.

 A common method that identity thieves use to obtain personal information is by taking advantage of the "forgot password" feature on websites and recovering information from the email address that is given there. Once they have access to your email account, they can see everything you've made available on social media sites. They can also mimic your identity to send all kinds of messages to your contacts.

Now that you know about the risks associated with social media, here are a few ways to help keep yourself safe:

1-Limit the Information You Share on Social Media

Be cautious of the amount of personal information you post on social media. The more information you make available, the greater the chance hackers have of exploiting you. For example, if all you have is a dummy email address on your account, hackers will be limited to that. However, if you have more information available, they could potentially use it to gain access to your banking accounts depending on your security questions.

2-Keep your account Security High

Every social media site has different security and privacy settings. Make sure to go through each site's settings and ensure that your profile is set to a high-security level. For example, you can keep your account private and only accept requests from people you know personally.

3-Clickjacking: Beware of Clicking

When you're sent new links from friends, it's generally safe to assume they're okay to open. But be extra careful of any links you receive from people you don't know - these could be carrying malware, phishing programs, or even spyware. It's always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to clicking on links from social media, as you never know what might be waiting for you on the other side.

4-Simple Ways to Strengthen Your Passwords

It's important to use a variety of characters in your passwords to make them secure. This includes lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Did you know that you can also use space bars in your passwords? Mix and match different character types to make your passwords complex and difficult to crack. Using simple passwords leaves you vulnerable to hacking attempts like brute force and dictionary attacks. To keep yourself safe, it's important to change your password frequently.

5-Always Use Separate Email Accounts

Using a separate email account for social media and personal use can help prevent complications if one account is compromised. For example, if a cybercriminal gains access to the email you use for social media, he may not be able to get into your personal account if it is separate. This can help protect your personal information from being accessed.

Conclusion:

Interested in learning more about various other ways to keep yourself safe on the internet? Keep yourself updated with the latest trends in cybersecurity by following our blog. CyRAACS™ is a leading provider of Cyber Risk Advisory and Consulting Services (CyRAACS). We offer robust and sustainable cybersecurity solutions to organizations of all sizes. Our team of experienced and certified cybersecurity professionals can help you assess your risks, implement security controls, and develop a comprehensive security program that protects your data and systems from threats.