In today’s digital world, social media is a double-edged sword. While it helps us stay connected, share moments, and even build careers, it also exposes us to various online threats. Cybercriminals are always looking for loopholes to steal personal information, hack accounts, and use your identity for malicious purposes.
So, how do you keep your social media accounts secure? Simple—by taking proactive measures to protect your privacy. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most effective steps to safeguard your personal information, prevent unauthorized access, and stay safe online.
Understanding Social Media Privacy Risks
To better understand how to stay protected online, explore this blog about social media security—it covers practical tips and insights to help safeguard your digital presence. Before we dive into security measures, let’s look at some common privacy risks associated with social media:Common Threats:
- Hacking & Account Takeovers: Cybercriminals use weak passwords, security flaws, or phishing scams to gain control of accounts.
- Phishing Attacks: Fake messages, links, or emails trick users into revealing login details.
- Identity Theft: Hackers steal personal details to impersonate victims or commit fraud.
- Data Leaks: Poor security settings can expose private information to unauthorized individuals.
Real-Life Examples:
- In 2021, Facebook suffered a data leak where personal information of over 500 million users was exposed.
- Twitter faced a massive breach in 2020 when hackers took over high-profile accounts, including Elon Musk and Barack Obama, to promote a cryptocurrency scam.
Understanding these risks is the first step in securing your social media presence.
3. Strengthening Passwords and Authentication
Create a Strong Password:
A weak password is the easiest way for hackers to gain access to your account. Follow these tips:
- Use at least 12-16 characters with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
- Avoid using personal details like your name, birthdate, or “password123.”
- Don’t reuse passwords across different sites.
Use a Password Manager:
Remembering multiple strong passwords is tough. A password manager stores and generates secure passwords for you. Popular ones include:
- LastPass
- 1Password
- Bitwarden
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as:
- A code sent via SMS or email
- An authentication app like Google Authenticator or Authy
With 2FA enabled, even if someone steals your password, they won’t be able to log in without the second verification step.
4. Adjusting Privacy Settings on Social Media
Each social media platform offers privacy settings that can limit data exposure. Here’s how to lock down your accounts:
Facebook:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and change Who can see your posts? to Friends only.
- Turn off Face Recognition to prevent unauthorized tagging.
- Disable Location History to avoid tracking.
Instagram:
- Set your profile to Private (Settings > Privacy > Account Privacy).
- Limit who can tag you in posts and stories.
- Disable Activity Status to prevent others from seeing when you’re online.
Twitter/X:
- Enable Protect your Tweets under Settings > Privacy & Safety to make tweets visible to followers only.
- Turn off Location Sharing in your settings.
TikTok & LinkedIn:
- On TikTok, restrict who can comment, duet, and message you.
- On LinkedIn, adjust profile visibility to connections only to prevent data scraping.
5. Recognizing and Avoiding Phishing Scams
Phishing scams trick users into revealing personal information by pretending to be legitimate services.
How Phishing Works:
- You receive a fake email or message claiming an issue with your account.
- The message contains a link that directs you to a fraudulent website.
- You enter your login credentials, unknowingly giving them to hackers.
Red Flags to Watch For:
- Urgent messages like “Your account will be suspended!”
- Suspicious links with misspellings (e.g., faceboook.com instead of facebook.com).
- Requests for sensitive data like passwords or security codes.
How to Stay Safe:
- Never click on suspicious links.
- Always verify the sender’s email or message source.
- Enable security notifications to alert you of unusual activity.
6. Controlling Third-Party App Access
Many people unknowingly grant third-party apps access to their social media accounts. While some apps are safe, others pose serious privacy risks by collecting excessive data or even acting maliciously.
Why Third-Party Apps Are a Threat
- Data Mining: Many apps harvest your personal information, contacts, and activities for marketing purposes.
- Unauthorized Access: Some apps continue to access your account even after you stop using them.
- Security Weaknesses: A hacked third-party app can compromise your social media accounts.
How to Manage Third-Party App Permissions
- Review Connected Apps: Go to your social media settings and check the list of apps linked to your account.
- Remove Unused Apps: If you no longer use an app, revoke its access immediately.
- Limit Permissions: Only grant necessary permissions, such as login access, and avoid sharing personal data.
Each platform has a section where you can manage third-party apps:
- Facebook: Settings > Apps and Websites
- Instagram: Settings > Security > Apps and Websites
- Twitter/X: Settings > Security and Account Access > Connected Apps
- Google (for YouTube & Gmail login): Security > Third-party Apps
7. Managing Your Digital Footprint
Everything you post online contributes to your digital footprint, which can be used by hackers, employers, or advertisers. Reducing your footprint is essential for maintaining privacy.
Steps to Minimize Your Digital Footprint:
- Delete Old Accounts: Use a tool like JustDeleteMe to find and remove inactive accounts.
- Remove Old Posts & Photos: On Facebook and Twitter, use the “bulk delete” feature to erase past content.
- Limit Public Information: Avoid sharing your phone number, email, or home address online.
A smaller digital footprint means fewer risks of data breaches and identity theft.
8. Avoiding Location Sharing Risks
Many social media platforms track and share your location by default, making you vulnerable to stalking, break-ins, or cyberstalking.
Why Disabling Location Tracking Matters
- Prevents Stalkers & Cybercriminals: Public location tags can reveal your home, workplace, or frequent locations.
- Reduces Targeted Ads: Advertisers use location data to send personalized ads.
- Protects Against Physical Threats: Posting vacation updates in real-time can alert burglars that you’re away.
How to Turn Off Location Sharing:
- Facebook: Settings > Location > Disable Location Services
- Instagram: Settings > Privacy > Location Services (Set to “Never”)
- Snapchat: Enable “Ghost Mode” under Snap Map settings
- Google: Disable “Location History” in Google account settings
9. Handling Suspicious Activity and Account Breaches
If you notice suspicious activity on your account, act fast to prevent further damage.
Signs Your Account May Be Compromised:
- Unexpected password reset emails
- Posts or messages you didn’t create
- Unfamiliar logins from unknown devices
What to Do If Your Account is Hacked:
- Change Your Password Immediately – Use a strong, unique password.
- Log Out of All Devices – Most platforms allow you to log out remotely from unknown sessions.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Adds an extra layer of security.
- Report the Breach to the Platform – Every social media site has a recovery process.
- Check Your Linked Email and Phone Number – Ensure they haven’t been changed.
10. Educating Yourself and Others on Online Security
The best way to maintain privacy is staying informed. Cyber threats evolve, and so should your security practices.
Tips for Staying Safe Online:
- Follow cybersecurity experts on social media for the latest updates.
- Use security blogs like Krebs on Security or The Hacker News to learn about threats.
- Encourage family and friends to secure their accounts.
By educating yourself and others, you contribute to a safer online community.
Conclusion
Your online privacy depends on strong passwords, secure privacy settings, and avoiding phishing scams. Control third-party app access, reduce your digital footprint, and disable unnecessary location tracking. If you’ve been asking, how to remove my information from the internet, start by deleting old accounts, removing unnecessary posts, and limiting personal details online.
By following these steps, you can enjoy social media without compromising your privacy.
