YOU might be putting yourself at risk on social media by making simple mistakes.
The Sun spoke to a cyber-expert to find out some of our most common errors on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more.
1
If you’re a regular social media user, you’ve probably handed out loads of info.
Some of this might seem insignificant but it can all add up.
Tech firms often harvest more data than we realise.
And even our public posts can be used against us by crooks.
“Sharing our data and information is a fact of life – unless you want to unplug yourself completely (or move to the 19th century),” said cyber-expert Erfan Shadabi.
“But, just because we feel obligated to give willingly doesn’t mean we need to not expect accountability.
“Individuals should consciously check up on those that you know you’ve given your data to.”
Erfan, who works as a cybersecurity expert at Comforte AG, urged web users to check their online security as soon as possible.
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And he revealed four essential warnings for social media users.
Four cyber-warnings
Here’s where Erfan thinks you should be careful…
Unattended social media accounts
“Unmonitored social accounts can be the target of hackers, who could start posting fraudulent messages under your name,” said Erfan.
“It’s a good idea to reserve your personal/brand’s handle on all social media channels, even if you don’t plan to use them all right away.
“And make sure to keep them up to date.”
Human error
“Avoid simple mistakes such as providing unnecessary, sensitive information to individuals or organizations on social media platforms,” Erfan told The Sun.
“Something as simple as clicking on the wrong link or downloading the wrong file could cause serious harm.
“Pay close attention to all the links that you click and follow.”
Look out for Phishing attacks and scams
“In a phishing scam, the goal is to get you or your employees to hand over passwords, banking details, or other private information,” Erfan explained.
“Be vigilant and double-check every communication and look out for imposter accounts.”
Privacy settings
“Check your privacy settings and make sure you take advantage of all the possible options,” said Erfan, speaking to The Sun.
“For organizations, the privacy risk includes both business and personal use.
“Make sure you understand the privacy settings on your business accounts.”
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
