Social media has brought a radical transformation in the way you receive and send messages/information. It has created democratized and streamlined communication edifice, unlike its predecessors. It goes beyond saying that with the cutting-edge innovation, comes listless security risks and perils for both businesses and individuals.
- Social media provides a massive
unprotected channel or medium for data leaks. It incites people to share
confidential information or even overshare it.
- It gives information to hackers that
help them to breach organizations. It ensures the dissemination of falsities
and lies through impersonation and misinformation.
- You can see the changing panorama
when you had brands seeking to impede data leaks just a few years back.
- They could use data loss prevention
tools and filter at the logical or physical firewall. You have numerous
compliance systems sporting similar procedures and functionality.
- Today, you have employees
implementing personal electronic tools for discussing every type of social
media topic.
People are sharing non-commercial information such as
personal mobile numbers, vacation plans, etc, putting themselves and their
folks at risk.
Arguably, social engineering methods that exploit and thrive on overshared information and content on social media have emerged as common mechanisms and roadmaps for criminals and scammers to breach brands. Just one post can call for a massive hack onslaught.
Additionally, social media proliferation has also made
people accustomed to the trend of sharing their professional and personal
lives.
The common cyber security risks
Unattended accounts on social media are never to be trusted. It’s prudent to reserve your business handle across social media spectrums, even if you’re not using them right away. It allows you to maintain a prominent presence on each network. People can find you easily.
Idle handles can be the hackers’ target. They could post fraudulent and misleading messages under your name to slander you. Human error is another risk. To err is to human. In today’s rat race, it’s all too customary to accidentally expose your brand to online threats. In fact, 77% of users said that insouciant staff could trigger a cyber security threat.
- Handle third-party apps with caution.
Even if you’ve locked out your social media accounts, hackers may still be gain
access through loopholes and vulnerabilities in several third-party apps that
you integrate with social networks.
- Don’t forget how hackers sneaked into
the Twitter accounts of Amnesty International and Forbes, using a glitch in the
Twitter Counter app, which you use for Twitter analysis.
Social media and cyber security
Always use a password manager. There are so many
social media avenues these days and most people use either the exact same
password for every platform or just a variation of that same for different
accounts.
While the approach is pretty fathomable, memorizing a
complicated, long and unique password for the barrage of accounts appears to be
impossible. This is where password managers can play a crucial role.
- The password manager stores all of
your passwords, keeping them safely in an encrypted and secure vault.
- You just need to remember a master
password, which you use for logging on to your social media accounts.
- You can even install a two-factor or
dual-phase authentication. It sends a secure passcode to your smartphone.
- You can also create a multi-factor
process. It requires biometrics like facial recognition or fingerprint for
extra security.
A very basic tip is to not accept random friend
requests or even followers. Everyone wants to have as many fans and followers
as you. There are so many people even getting them organically through sites
like blastup.com.
However, accepting everybody who follows you could be
detrimental to your security, especially if you reveal personal information on
your handles. The call is simple. Don’t reveal your personal information.
Some more tips
You need to watch your mailbox often. Do you know that
social media hacks happen through direct messages that come to you? Phishers
have been using the same approach for years now. An email or message has a
rogue or obscure link, which they send to look as if it’s from a friend or
colleague. It exposes your password.
- Phishers can eventually find out who you expect to send you an email. They use that information as the key to sneak in.
- This is a nefarious social engineering tactic that has historically worked on government organizations and newspaper staff.
- So, don’t stay in this delusion that hacking social media profiles must require sophisticated tools and cutting-edge techniques.
- It’s always a good idea to lock your phone. Scammers don’t face any face on the internet. So, if your phone ends up in a stranger’s hands, it may give access to your social media platforms and much more.
- If your phone is not locked; it may give all the information to the stranger. It could be your email address, phone numbers, and other confidential details.
- They can target your pals through your profile, a typical bait to isolate and malign you. These people also change passwords once they have access to your account.
- Don’t hesitate to hit the block button. When and if a spammer sends you links or follows you, don’t ignore the stuff. Block that account. Report it as spam and let the social networking service monitor it.
There are good features to secure your account. You
need to make use of them.
Importance of cyber security experts
Technology pundits have told that the future rests with cyber security professionals. The world will come to digital ways and you need expert people to secure your materials.
- Cyber security experts update your social media accounts’ features constantly. They also evolve them.
- If you’ve been using Facebook or Instagram for a while, you will know how the networks continually alter the safety features.
- They do it mainly to shield your information.
- Fortifying your content is paramount. Social media platforms are committed in providing you extra security features, helping you to edit how others can view your profile or page.
Experts understand the dynamic slope of current technology trends. They make a defense mechanism for your accounts to prevent them from external threats.
