Social Media
How to Keep Your Information Safe: Social Media Security Tips
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Pinterest, and others are essential tools for staying connected. While they offer convenience and entertainment, they also present unique cybersecurity risks. Hackers, scammers, identity thieves, and cybercriminals often exploit social media to gather information, compromise accounts, or launch attacks.
At SCU, protecting your personal and university data is a priority. Below are key tips—supported by resources from trusted cybersecurity organizations—to help you safeguard your social media presence:
1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords for Each Account
Using different, strong passwords ensures that if one account is compromised, others remain secure. Combine uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to create strong passwords. Consider using a password manager to keep track of unique passwords.
2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds an extra verification step, making it harder for attackers to access your account even if your password is compromised. Turn on MFA (sometimes called 2FA) in each platform's security settings.
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More info: CISA - Multi-Factor Authentication
3. Adjust Privacy and Security Settings
Proper privacy settings control who can see your posts, personal information, and activity, reducing the risk of unwanted exposure or attacks. Review each platform’s privacy settings and limit visibility to only trusted connections.
4. Think Before You Post: Once Posted, Always Posted
Posts, photos, or videos may stay online indefinitely—even if you delete them. Avoid posting sensitive personal information or anything you wouldn't want future employers, family, or faculty to see.
5. Limit Personal Information Shared Online
The more personal information you share, the easier it is for identity thieves or cyber stalkers to misuse it. Avoid sharing birthdates, addresses, phone numbers, or school/work information publicly.
6. Know Who Your Friends Are & Be Selective About Connections
Fake profiles may try to connect with you to collect personal data or scam you. Only accept friend or follow requests from people you know and use platform tools to manage friend lists and control information shared.
7. Don’t Trust Every Message or Link
Cybercriminals may hijack accounts to send malware, phishing links, or scams disguised as messages from friends. Treat unexpected messages and links with caution and verify with friends directly if something seems suspicious.
8. Avoid Connecting Social Media Apps to Email Contact Lists
Granting apps access to your contacts may expose personal data or spam your contacts. Skip importing contacts and manually add connections you trust.
9. Secure Your Mobile Device
Unauthorized access to your phone gives cybercriminals access to your social media apps. Always lock your phone with a passcode, biometric lock, or pattern, and install OS and app updates regularly.
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More info: ISO's Secure Your Mobile Device
10. Know How to Report Harassment or Suspicious Behavior
Reporting tools can help stop harassment, scams, or cyberbullying. Use the reporting and blocking tools built into each platform to protect yourself.
11. Set Up and Review Account Recovery Options
In case your account is ever compromised or you forget your password, having recovery options ensures you can quickly regain control. Set up recovery email addresses, phone numbers, and backup codes as provided by each platform. Regularly review and update these settings.
Additional Tips
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Keep a Clean Machine: Always update your apps, operating system, antivirus software, and browsers.
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When in Doubt, Throw It Out: Delete suspicious links or posts, even if they seem to come from a known contact.
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Be Respectful of Others: Get permission before posting about friends or tagging them in posts.