Safe on socials: A ten-point guide

We have been able to cope with the physical limitations set by the pandemic largely through technology. Staying indoors has driven an increase in in-home media consumption, from watching television for news and entertainment, or connecting with family and friends through social media.

In the Digital 2020 April Statshot report of Hootsuite and We Are Social, 64% of Filipino internet users reported spending more time on social media. As we engage our virtual selves more, we incur a greater exposure to hackers, phishers, and other cybercriminals. This is why we must observe a stricter set of security measures on social media. To keep your social media space safe and secure, keep in mind the following tips:

1. Use a strong password

While it is important that our passwords can be easily remembered, we must follow protocol when assigning them to our online accounts. This usually means complying with a certain length and using alphanumeric and special characters. Avoid having the same password for all your social media and other online accounts.

2. Enable a two-step verification

Use a two-factor authentication for your social media accounts or any online account that offers it. This way, you will be required to enter a verification code sent to another device before you can log in. You will also get alerts if your account was signed in from an unknown device to confirm it was you.

3. Use a unique email for your social media accounts

Create a new email specifically for your social media accounts.  By doing this, hackers won’t have access to any personal information in case your account is compromised.

4. Keep personal data personal

Your home address, phone number, bank account number, and other personal information have no place in your social media accounts. The same goes for photos of any form of identification as these may easily be used by identity thieves.

5. Be selective when adding friends

The rule is simple when it comes to this: if you don’t know the person, don’t accept the friend request. Fake accounts abound, so make sure you screen a profile before clicking the confirm button.

6. Be mindful of what you post

Even your closest friends do not need a blow-by-blow account of your day, what you’re currently up to or where you’re going next week. You may have deleted information or a photo you shared but you do not know who has made copies of it. Remember that the more you share, the more information is passed on to potentially malicious individuals.

7. Manage your online presence

Your social media accounts have privacy and security settings. Utilize these to control what your friends and the public can see, and even what others share with you.

8. Think before you click that link

Scammers regularly use social media accounts to con people. Be mindful of content or language that does not sound like something your friend will post. Look out for links which lead you to sites that ask for personal information before you can get in.

9. Limit apps connected to your social media

Do you use Facebook to sign in for any other applications? Evaluate if this type of access is necessary. Singular access like this provides a doorway to your other accounts that bear sensitive information which would otherwise be restricted.

10. Log out when you’re finished

Always log out of your social media account, or any personal account you have used on your phone or laptop. End your online sharing sessions by closing them on your browser or app.

Social media has made our lives more enjoyable and bearable, especially during quarantine. It offers endless avenues for connecting, entertainment and everything in between. With special offers like Smart Communications’ Giga Stories 99 and its award-winning mobile data network, we can share, be entertained, and stay connected with 16GB of data. Get ready to empower your digital lifestyle via simple and easy digital solutions as part of its latest “Simple. Smart Ako” campaign.

Know more about Smart’s promos and services by following Smart’s official accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.