Using popular websites like Facebook and Linkedin is a part of modern-day living. We use social networking sites to stay connected to our friends, family, coworkers, and community. But because these sites are so popular, you can expect that cybercriminals will be testing the boundaries of what information they can gather from such sites. Having your social network hacked may just seem like an inconvenience, but given how interconnected these sites are into our digital lives, it can be much more than that.
Protect Your Identity on Facebook and LinkedIn
Don’t Use Duplicate Passwords
While it is reasonably common to use the same password across multiple accounts, you should be extra careful with your social networking site passwords. Victims of the major LinkedIn hack several years ago saw the damage this can cause as their corporate accounts for DropBox were then hacked using the same information stolen from LinkedIn. Those passwords and identity information are often shared among hackers (or sold to the highest bidder). So, if one account is hacked, anything else with that same password is immediately put at risk. Reusing passwords for email, work, banking, and social media accounts can quickly lead to identity theft, corporate espionage, and other potentially devastating occurrences.
The bottom line is to use a different password for every one of your accounts. Using a password manager can help make that a lot easier. But if you’re not open to relying on a tool that will remember all your passwords for you, consider just making your Facebook and LinkedIn passwords more secure. To do this, consider using nonsense phrases that make the password harder to guess, but easy enough to remember. Try using abbreviations, websites, acronyms, and even song lyrics to come up with something unique and personal to you.
Question: Are password managers like 1Password truly secure for your office?
Don’t Share Personal Information
The information you share on social networking sites are often fully available to the public. So while it might not seem like a hacker would be interested to learn about your vacation to Hawaii, a neighbor with bad intentions might take advantage of an empty house. Or if you share your phone number publicly, that’s information that a cyber-criminal could use (or sell) to hack your bank account. While they are often shared on social media sites, even pictures can be used for intentions you didn’t originally plan for. The important thing to remember is that if you share something online, make sure you don’t mind it being taken by a stranger.
Related Content: Your Password Protection Best Practices are Outdated
Be Wary of 3rdParty Apps
3rd party apps are those that connect to your Facebook or LinkedIn account but which might not be protected by the same privacy policy as the major network. When you download a new app, they will often ask for confirmation that the new app may access your contacts, your photos, your Facebook and LinkedIn profiles, etc. If you don’t know why they are accessing other apps on your phone (or information that you don’t want to provide), it’s probably best not to keep that app on your devices.
Related Article: Are password managers like 1Password truly secure for your office?
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