Social media sites, such as Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, are amazing resources, allowing you to meet, interact, and share with people around the world. However, with all this power comes risks, especially if you’re in an abusive relationship or have been stalked. Check out what you can do to stay safe.
Posting
Be careful and think before posting to your own accounts. Be aware of what others are posting about you. You may have to ask others to remove what they share about you or ask they don’t tag you in check-ins or posts.
Privacy
Almost all social media sites have strong privacy options. Enable them when possible. For example, does the site really need to be able to track your location? In addition, privacy options can be confusing and change often. Make it a habit to check and confirm they are working as you expect them to.
Want to change your privacy settings but don’t know where to find them? StaySafeOnline.com has an up to date list for you.
Passphrase
Secure your social media account with a long, unique passphrase. A passphrase is a password made up of multiple words, making it easy for you to type and remember, but hard for cyber attackers to guess.
Lock Down Your Account
Even better, enable two-factor authentication on all of your accounts. This adds a one-time code with your password when you need to log in to your account. This is actually very simple and is one of the most powerful ways to secure your account.
Scams
Just like in email, bad guys will attempt to trick or fool you using social media messages. For example, they may try to trick you out of your password or credit card. Be careful what you click on: If a friend sends you what appears to be an odd message or one that does not sound like them, it could be a cyber attacker pretending to be your friend.
Helpful Resources
Managing Your Privacy Online from Stay Safe Online
Social Media Safety from The National Domestic Violence Hotline
Social Media Safety from RAINN
