4 Ways to Protect Your Privacy on Social Media

Introduction

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok serving as vital tools for communication and connection. Recent studies indicate that the average person spends approximately 2.5 hours per day on social media, which translates to over 17 hours a week. This extensive usage allows us to stay in touch with friends and family, seek support from communities, learn new skills, explore diverse interests, and uncover various opportunities, both personal and professional.

However, this convenience comes at a cost. Social media companies have access to vast amounts of data, often collecting information that users may not even realize they are sharing. According to a report by the Pew Research Center, 79% of Americans are concerned about how their data is being used by social media companies. Furthermore, a staggering 64% of users have experienced some form of privacy violation, whether through data breaches or unwanted exposure of personal information.

As we use this digital landscape, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with sharing personal information online. In this article we will discuss about effective strategies to protect your privacy on social media, ensuring that you can enjoy the benefits of these platforms while minimizing the risks to your personal data.

Avoid Sharing Your Live Location or Daily Routines:

Of course! Social media is designed for sharing our stories, experiences, and activities with friends, family, and even a broader audience with good intentions. It serves as a platform to connect us and share our lives with our loved ones. Posting pictures from your travels or showcasing the places you've visited can be enjoyable and fulfilling.

But it’s essential to consider the potential risks associated with sharing this information. What if someone were to exploit this data to cause you harm?

There’s a genuine possibility that your home could be targeted for a burglary, or if you are a public figure, you might face threats while visiting certain locations. The true intentions of those who view your posts can be unpredictable, and even if you restrict your audience only to your friends, the risk remains.

Nowadays, the trend of sharing personal routines and daily activities on social media has surged in recent years. Various social media trends encourage users to disclose daily routines about their lives, which can significantly compromise their security. Sharing your live location, daily habits, food preferences, or even minor details about your life can provide stalkers and hackers with valuable information that could be used against you. It’s crucial to be mindful of what you share to protect your safety and privacy.

• Hold Off on Posting Travel Photos Until You Return

Although if you have an urge to share your photos on your trip. Forbid from sharing images on social media while you are still on your trip and wait until you’re back home.

• Limit Sharing Personal Details

Avoid disclosing sensitive information such as your workplace, upcoming events, travel plans, or daily activities. Always be cautious and discreet when posting personal information online.

• Verify Friend Requests

If you receive a friend request from someone who appears to be a friend already in your network, take the time to verify their identity before accepting. There’s a strong possibility that it could be a fake profile created with harmful intentions.

Don't Share Your Identification Numbers:

We often have to share our identification numbers in various contexts, such as passports, citizenship documents, or licenses, for online transactions, joining social media platforms, and participating in online communities. However, sharing these identity documents online poses significant risks, as they can be exploited by others to impersonate us. Criminals may use the acquired information to open bank accounts or apply for credit in the victim's name, which can adversely affect their financial history, access to government services, and online reputation.

Even when sharing documents with good intentions, such as verifying identity on an online platform, doing so without engaging with trustworthy providers can result in a loss of control over your information. There is a possibility that your data may be stored, shared, or even sold to criminal organizations or companies that employ invasive techniques to target users.

• Utilize Temporary or Disposable Information

Whenever possible, opt for a temporary email address or phone number when signing up for services. This approach helps safeguard your primary contact information.

• Restrict Shared Information

Only provide identification numbers that are essential. Refrain from sharing any additional personal details unless absolutely necessary.

• Create Strong, Unique Passwords

Develop robust passwords for your accounts and avoid reusing the same password across different websites.

• Examine App Permissions

Before signing up for any service, review the permissions that the app or website is requesting. Only grant access to the informations that is truly necessary.

Limit Information Shared in Your About Section:

Social media platforms offer us the opportunity to share details about ourselves, but it’s crucial to be cautious when doing so. Even seemingly minor details, such as your maiden name or hometown, can assist hackers in answering security questions. While these platforms may provide options to share personal information, there is no obligation to disclose everything.

We should be particularly mindful of, or even avoid sharing, the following information online:

• Full name
• Home address
• Phone number
• Email address
• School or workplace details
• Travel plans
• Political or religious beliefs
• Any sensitive information regarding family or friends

Only Accept Connection Requests from People You Know:

Social media serves as an excellent platform for connecting with new individuals and making friends online. It provides us the opportunity to establish a personal brand, grow our audience, and express our opinions. However, it’s crucial to only accept friend requests and followers from people you genuinely know. If you’re looking to cultivate a public persona, consider setting up a separate account for that purpose.

Even if you are cautious about your own posts, your friends can still view what others share about you. With a bit of investigation, they can easily discover your date of birth and sift through your friends list for additional information. Furthermore, individuals behind fake accounts may use them for scams, defraud your friends, or even engage in blackmail activities.

Additional Tips:

• Review Privacy Settings

Regularly check and update your privacy settings on your accounts to ensure your information is properly protected.

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Activate two-factor authentication, a security measure that requires a one-time password (OTP) valid for only a few minutes, along with your regular password and device verification.

• Conduct Privacy Checkups

Perform regular privacy check ups provided by the social media to evaluate and enhance your security measures on social media.

• Limit Third-Party Access

Be cautious about granting access to third-party applications and services that may compromise your privacy as Social media platforms are not responsible for data collected by third parties.

Conclusion:

Social media is no doubt a great tool for networking and being close to your loved one. But it also caters various threats to its users. Your privacy can be at risk if you are oversharing or if you aren't following security precautions. Following these suggestions can help you protecting your data and your privacy for keeping you safe in the digital platforms. Best Wishes!!

References:

• https://www.csoonline.com/article/534628/the-biggest-data-breaches-of-the-21st-century.html
• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/we-okay-social-media-websites-hampering-our-privacy-pooja-garg/
• https://www.aura.com/learn/how-to-protect-your-personal-information-on-social-media
• https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/privacy-identity-protection/how-to-protect-your-social-media-accounts/
• https://rainn.org/safe-media
• https://netchoice.org/tools-to-protect-your-privacy-on-social-media/
• https://dataprivacymanager.net/how-to-protect-your-privacy-on-social-media/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se2pELXlMo8
• https://youtu.be/z68CHwqBhDU?si=KMneAXuBqUn3_nKE