Privacy concerns and Threats
Stay current
Social Media plays a huge part in our social life. Looking at
the threats we can be exposed to whilst using these platforms
today, this makes user privacy more important now than ever.
Below are some of the common Social Media threats used by
hackers to gain access to your Social Media information:
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Data Mining
Everyone leaves a data trace on the internet. For example, when starting a new Social Media account, we provide personal information such as name, birth date, geographic location, and personal interests. Some companies collect data on user behaviors, such as when, where, and how users interact with their platform for marketing purposes. When the website or company is compromised or breached the attackers make use of all that data for illegal activities.
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Phishing Attempts
Phishing is one of the most common methods by which criminals attempt to obtain sensitive personal information. A phishing attack frequently takes in the form of an email, text message, or phone call and tries to portray it as a message from a legitimate organization. These messages trick recipients into disclosing sensitive information such as passwords, banking information, or credit card information.
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Malware Sharing
Malware is a short name of the term called 'malicious software'. Once on a user's computer, malware can be used to steal sensitive information (spyware), extort money (ransomware), or profit from forced advertising (adware). Cyber criminals find social media platforms to be an ideal delivery system and use it to distribute malware and gain unlawful access to devices.
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Account hacking and impersonation
Spammers, hackers, and other online criminals are increasingly targeting social networks. A compromised Social Media account is an appealing target because those criminals aim to impersonate you once gaining access to your Facebook or Twitter account.
Another method of Hacking is creating a Fake account that looks like the targeted user's account and leveraging the social network, as in gaining trust from friends and the social circle to obtain information and achieve impersonation.
So now you know why are they curious about your Social Media accounts?
Because it is a far more effective way of disseminating viruses, malware, and scams than traditional email spam. People are more likely to believe messages they receive from their Social Media friends. They are more likely to click on links without thinking twice, infecting their computers as a result. -
Stalking and harassment
Strangers aren't the only ones who pose a threat to your Social Media privacy. People in your life may turn out to be unfriendly at times. Online stalking and cyberbullying have become well-known threats, and Social Media makes them extremely easy to carry out.
Privacy protection: quick tips
What can you do to Safeguard Your online privacy? Here are a few quick suggestions:
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Keep personal information to a minimum on private social profiles..
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Make sure that all your accounts have two-factor authentication.
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Use strong passwords and don't reuse passwords across accounts.
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Disable geolocation data access for Social Media apps.
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Never use your Social Media accounts on public devices and if it is a necessity, do log out and make sure your password isn't saved on the browser!
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Be wary before clicking links from friends on Social Media; give it the benefit of the doubt when a message looks suspicious - they may be hacked!
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ALWAYS, keep up to date with your app version and apply the settings of privacy that fit you best by visiting your app's official webpage.
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