How to Protect Yourself from Social Media Security Risks

Social media like Facebook or Twitter is a great way to connect with friends, family, and people who share your interests. But it also comes with some risks that you should be aware of.

In this blog post, we will discuss two issues of personal security that are related to the privacy trade-offs on social media: burglars and malware. We will also give you some tips on how to prevent these risks from affecting you. Let’s learn how to protect yourself from social media security risks.

Burglars on Social Media – Social Media Security Risks

One of social media security risks is becoming a victim of burglars. Did you know that many burglars are devoted researchers?

It’s true. The more a burglar knows about a target, the better judgments a burglar can make about the potential risks and rewards of burglarizing that target. There are many kinds of information that burglars research, but the most important one is this: will anybody be home at the time of the burglary?

Modern burglars are turning to social media sites to discover when residents will be out of town, as well as other information that’s relevant to the burglary. Just imagine all the information that a clever burglar could pick up from a carelessly constructed social media profile.

Social Media Security risks are real. For example, let’s consider an imaginary user named Cher. Cher posts a status update that says “Can’t wait to take the kids to Cartoon Land Theme Park for spring break!” A burglar who’s scanning through social media pages might stumble across this status and so he might take a closer look at Cher’s page.

Scrolling through Cher’s profile, he sees that she gave her husband Floyd a new flat-screen TV for Christmas. He also sees that Floyd gave Cher a shimmering pearl necklace. “Wow, antique jewels! Priceless!” Cher writes in the caption of the picture.

The burglar also sees that Cher has two small children in elementary school. There are several pictures of the outside of Cher’s house and the burglar is able to figure out the layout of the house from the pictures. Scrolling through a few more pictures, he sees that Cher’s only pet is an adorable cat named Percy.

With no evidence of a guard dog, the burglar finds that Cher hasn’t posted her address on any of her social media accounts. So the burglar does a quick search on Google and finds Cher’s address in a public directory.

Now the burglar has everything he needs to plan his heist. He knows when Cher and her family will be away, what valuables they have in their house, how to get in and out, and how to avoid any alarms or cameras. He can even use Google Maps to scout the neighborhood and find the best escape route.

How can you avoid being a victim of this kind of social media security risk? Here are some tips:

1.  Don’t post your travel plans or whereabouts on social media. If you want to share your vacation photos or experiences, do it after you return home.
2.  Don’t post pictures or details of your expensive possessions or gifts on social media. You never know who might be looking at them with envy or greed.
3.  Don’t post personal information such as your address, phone number, email, birthday, or full name on social media. Use privacy settings to limit who can see your profile and posts.
4.  Don’t accept friend requests from strangers or people you don’t know well. They might be scammers or criminals who want to access your information or trick you into clicking malicious links.
5.  Don’t tag your location or check in to places on social media. This can reveal your habits and routines to potential burglars.
6.  Don’t leave clues or signs that your house is empty when you’re away. For example, don’t let your mail pile up, don’t leave lights on all day and night, don’t leave curtains open or closed all the time, etc.
7.  Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to keep an eye on your house when you’re away. You can also install security cameras or alarms to deter burglars.

Malware on Social Media – Social Media Security Risk

Another social media security risk that you should be aware of is malware. Malware is any software that is designed to harm or take control of your computer or device. Some common types of malware are viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, ransomware, adware, etc.

Cyber attackers use social media to spread malware to users like you. They do this by creating fake profiles, pages, groups, events, apps, quizzes, games, etc. that look legitimate or appealing but contain malicious links or downloads. They also use phishing techniques to trick you into giving them your personal information or credentials.

For example, let’s consider an imaginary user named Bob. Bob receives a message from his friend Alice on Facebook Messenger. The message says “Hey Bob! Check out this hilarious video I found! You won’t believe what happens at the end!” The message also contains a link to a website that looks like YouTube.

Bob is curious and clicks on the link. He is taken to a website that looks like YouTube but is actually a fake one. The website asks him to update his Flash Player in order to watch the video. Bob agrees and downloads the file.

However, the file is not a Flash Player update but a malware that infects his computer. The malware can do various things, such as stealing his personal information, locking his files and demanding a ransom, displaying annoying ads, slowing down his computer, etc.

How can you avoid being a victim of this kind of social media security risk? Here are some tips:

1.  Don’t click on links or downloads from unknown or suspicious sources on social media. If you receive a message or a post from a friend or a page that contains a link or a download, verify with them first before clicking on it. They might have been hacked or spoofed by cyber attackers.
2.  Don’t give out your personal information or credentials on social media. If you receive a message or a post that asks you to log in, verify your account, update your settings, etc., be careful. It might be a phishing attempt to steal your information or access your account. Always check the URL and the sender before entering any information.
3.  Don’t install apps, quizzes, games, etc. from unknown or untrusted sources on social media. They might contain malware or spyware that can harm your device or compromise your privacy. Only install apps, quizzes, games, etc. from official or reputable sources and check their reviews and ratings before installing them.
4.  Don’t use the same password for different accounts on social media. If one of your accounts gets hacked or compromised, the cyber attackers can use your password to access your other accounts. Use strong and unique passwords for each account and change them regularly.
5.  Don’t connect to public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks when using social media. These networks can be easily hacked or intercepted by cyber attackers who can monitor your online activity and steal your information. Use a VPN (virtual private network) or a secure Wi-Fi network when using social media.

Social media is a wonderful tool for communication and entertainment, but it also comes with some risks that you should be aware of and protect yourself from. By following the tips we have shared in this blog post, you can prevent burglars and malware from ruining your social media experience and compromising your personal security.

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