It’s the norm to use social media and let it access our information these days. In fact, two-thirds of Americans say they’re willing to give companies information about themselves for a better browsing experience.
With it being so normal to let information fly loose on the internet, people forget to take safety precautions. Ultimately, anyone can sit behind a computer and claim to be anyone they want, and it’s worth remembering.
It can be a great networking tool when used correctly, but it’s essential to stay wary and safe on social media.
Read on for some precautions to take to ensure it stays a positive experience for you!
- Use a VPN
Using a VPN can be a simple way to protect your information. By using a VPN service, you’re being safe on social media because if you run into someone who tries to access your information, they won’t be able to locate your real IP address.
A VPN is essential for privacy, and there are many in-browser and downloadable versions for simplicity’s sake.
- Avoid Shared Computers as Much as Possible
Sometimes using a shared computer is unavoidable, but if you must use one, take precautions. Make sure you log out of everything, wipe the browser history, and never look into anything important (such as travel plans or bank information).
Even if you wipe the history, there’s a way for people to get that information back.
- Don’t Give Out Personal Information
One of the simplest and yet most important tips on how to stay safe on social media is not to give out any personal information.
Even by posting your phone number on Facebook, you could be opening yourself up to danger. Your post might be private, but often Facebook friends aren’t who they say they are, or you’ve added someone long ago you’ve forgotten about.
Be cautious, and just don’t upload personal information.
- Frequently Check for Information Breaches
By checking for information breaches, hacked sites, and even checking on identity theft monitoring, you can keep an eye on your information and act if it’s been compromised.
There are companies who offer this service so they can alert you if anything is out there on the internet that shouldn’t be, such as a credit card number or password. Discover more, and keep yourself safe.
- Don’t Post Information About Others Without Consent
While it’s important to keep yourself safe, you should also be mindful of others. Never post anything without someone’s consent, as it may be information that they don’t want out there.
Also, be wary of the backgrounds of photos — some people aren’t comfortable having their face online.
Make Sure to Stay Safe on Social Media
It can be a great experience, but it’s important to stay safe on social media to keep it that way. Make sure you’re very conscious of what personal information you’re putting out there as well as checking for any breaches of your privacy and you should be fine.
For more life tips, check out the rest of our blog!
