Social media is an integral part of our daily lives, enabling us to connect with friends, family, and colleagues. We share experiences and stay informed. However, it also presents various security risks that can compromise your personal information and privacy. 

These essential tips and best practices can help you navigate social media safely. 

Protect your personal information

Limit sharing sensitive details like your home address, phone number, or financial information to mitigate the risk of identity theft and targeted attacks. Be cautious about what you share publicly, as even seemingly harmless information can be exploited by cybercriminals.

Use strong and unique passwords

Create complex passwords using a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid easily guessable information like birthdays or pet names. Consider using a password manager for secure storage and to generate strong passwords for each account. Follow these tips to master your password security.

Secure your accounts

Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security. This requires multiple forms of verification, such as a mobile code, authentication app, or biometrics. The risk of unauthorised access is then reduced even if your password is compromised.

Review privacy settings

Regularly check and update your privacy settings to control who can see your posts and personal information. Limit visibility to trusted contacts and consider adjusting settings for each platform based on your comfort level with sharing.

Monitor account activity

Stay vigilant by monitoring account actions such as unrecognised logins or changes to your profile settings. Promptly report any suspicious activities to the social media platform's support team to protect your account from unauthorised access.

Beware of phishing scams

Exercise caution with links received via direct messages, comments, or emails, even if they appear to come from known contacts. Phishing attacks often mimic legitimate messages to trick users into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware. Verify the authenticity of links before clicking and avoid entering login credentials on unfamiliar websites.

Verify friend requests and followers

While verifying every follower on all social media platforms may not be feasible, enhance security by checking profile authenticity and engaging cautiously with requests. Prioritise connections with mutual friends or contacts and report suspicious profiles or interactions to the platform to help maintain a safe online community. These tips will help to identify fake social media profiles. 

Be sceptical of unsolicited messages

Avoid replying to messages asking for personal information or requiring you to click a link, especially if they convey a sense of urgency. Verify requests via alternative communication channels (e.g. by contacting the sender directly via a known phone number or email address).

Stay updated and vigilant

Regularly update social media apps and device software for protection against vulnerabilities and security threats. Enable automatic updates where possible to ensure you have the latest security patches and features.

Report suspicious activities

If you come across phishing attempts, fake profiles or other suspicious activity, report it immediately to the social media platform's support team. Reporting will help protect the entire community and prevent others from falling victim to similar scams.

Be cautious when using public wireless connections

Be careful when accessing your social media accounts over public WiFi networks, as these networks can be insecure. Whenever possible, use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection and protect your data from being intercepted by malicious actors.

By following these guidelines and staying informed about evolving cybersecurity threats, you can enjoy the benefits of social media while safeguarding your personal information and online privacy. 

For additional tips and updates on handling fake profiles and enhancing your online security, explore resources from the UCT Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) and other trusted cybersecurity sources.