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Steps to Protect Social Media Accounts in 2023

Securing our social media accounts has become paramount as the digital landscape continually evolves. Here, we focus on six comprehensive steps to ensure your online presence remains uncompromised in 2023.

1. Embrace Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

2FA is akin to adding a second lock to your digital door. Even if a hacker gets your password, they won’t be able to access your account without this double verification.

You should Initiate 2FA on every social platform that offers it. Typically, you’ll receive a code through SMS or an authentication app. This code is required in addition to your password, providing an additional security layer. Regularly check that the backup methods (like phone numbers) associated with 2FA are up-to-date.

2. Craft Strong, Unique Passwords

A fortified password is the first line of defense against unauthorized access. Therefore, your passwords should be at least 12 characters long and a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. 

Avoid obvious choices like “password123” or sequences like “abcd.” Using a password manager can help you generate and keep track of complex passwords, ensuring each account has a distinct one.

3. Stay Alert to Phishing Scams

Phishing remains a prevalent method for attackers to gain unauthorized access to accounts. They trick users into revealing sensitive information through deceptive emails or messages.

Make sure to scrutinize unsolicited messages or emails, especially those urging immediate action or offering too-good-to-be-true deals. Always hover over links to check their actual destinations. If you’re ever in doubt, visit the official website instead of clicking the link.

4. Manage Third-party App Access and Updates

Over time, we tend to grant numerous third-party apps access to our social media. Each is a potential vulnerability point.

Continuously review and prune the list of apps that regularly access your accounts. Remove any that you no longer use or don’t recognize. Additionally, ensure your device’s operating system and social media apps are up-to-date. Developers frequently release updates to patch known vulnerabilities.

6. Practice Conscious Sharing and Regular Monitoring

In the era of oversharing, it’s easy to inadvertently expose information that could be used maliciously. 

Be mindful of what you’re posting, especially regarding location check-ins, revealing travel plans, or sharing sensitive personal details. Remember that such personal information can be stored in information databases later to be sold to third-party companies. Ideally, you should check if your personal data is out there and find ways to opt yourself out of data brokers’ lists.

5. Master Your Privacy Settings

Privacy settings are your toolset for controlling who sees your information and how they interact with it.

Familiarize yourself with the privacy options on each platform. Decide who can view your posts, tags, and personal details. Periodically review these settings, especially after platform updates, which may introduce new features or change existing privacy controls. Also, limit the visibility of posts that share sensitive personal information.

7. Utilize Encrypted Messaging Platforms

In an age where data breaches are becoming more common, it’s essential to ensure that personal conversations remain private. End-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and the recipient can read the message, not the platform itself.

When discussing private matters or sharing sensitive information, choose messaging platforms or features emphasizing end-to-end encryption. Some popular social media platforms have specific settings or modes that need to be activated. Make sure to enable these options whenever available.

8. Backup Your Data Regularly

While we often consider cybersecurity in terms of preventing unauthorized access, protecting our digital memories and content is equally important. Regularly backing up your data protects you against accidental deletions, platform glitches, or account bans.

Use the built-in features of social media platforms to download and store your data. Ensure that these backups are stored in secure locations, preferably encrypted storage solutions. Regular monthly or quarterly intervals can be set as reminders to perform these backups.

Conclusion

Digital security is an ongoing journey that demands vigilance and adaptability. As threats become more sophisticated, our approach to protecting our online presence must evolve. Focusing on these comprehensive steps and regularly updating our security knowledge can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized account access and allow us to enjoy a safer digital experience in 2023.

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