How to Prevent Social Media Identity Theft
Install theft protection software on all of the computers you use to access social media accounts., Make sure never to click the box to save your password when you are on a public, work or laptop computer., Use your real name whenever you sign up...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Install theft protection software on all of the computers you use to access social media accounts.
Make sure you update them regularly both at work and at home.
Most experts suggest that this should be done at least weekly, especially with Windows operating systems (OS). -
Step 2: Make sure never to click the box to save your password when you are on a public
Many social media sites automatically check this box under your sign in, so be vigilant about making sure it is never saved.
If it saves, it may automatically bring up your account the next time someone else goes to that social media site. , Try to use your full name both in the username and in the profile columns, to prevent anyone else from taking that account and using it to impersonate you.
Treat your name like it is your brand, and try to protect it from illegal usage whenever you can.
Some people have very common names.
If you cannot have your exact name, then try placing a "." between your first and last name.
You can also include your middle name, middle initial or your profession in the username, if that helps to distinguish you apart from others with the same name. , Identity thieves can open accounts and commit a number of financial crimes with just this information.
You can decide if you want to use a profile picture, but try to make it a likeness that you can also use as a brand, and look for anyone else that tries to use it. , Set your profile to private, and make sure you have to approve any friend requests, comments, photo tags, links or posts that appear on your page.
Be very discerning about who you accept friend requests from.
Some thieves create accounts in order to grab information off accounts.
Make sure you know everyone you are friends with, and frequently delete friends who you have no further desire to have contact with. , New and successful social media scams create emails that are tailor made to look like they are directly from a social media provider.
Always assume it is not, and go to the site directly to see if you have a message. , Many experts suggest using a sentence that includes a number and only makes sense to you.
Change your passwords to social media accounts every 1 to 3 months. , In many instances, social media thieves have become actual thieves, taking this data and using it to rob people when they are out of town.
Never be specific about where you live or when you are out of the house. , Unless you intend on reading through their entire terms and conditions policy, you do not know where your information is going.
Many companies sell the information they take off people using their free application to businesses or private individuals. , Even your friends can have their identities stolen on social media sites and post links that lead thieves to retrieve your personal information or hack your computer. , Although many young people are more adept at navigating the Internet, they may not fully understand the implications of posting private information, photos or potentially offensive material on the Internet.
They may have to face even more adept social media thieves in the future, so prepare them well for the task. -
Step 3: work or laptop computer.
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Step 4: Use your real name whenever you sign up for social media accounts.
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Step 5: Avoid giving out personal information on social media sites
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Step 6: such as address
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Step 7: phone number or your birth date.
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Step 8: Change your privacy settings on all your social media accounts
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Step 9: so that you have control of all the information that is posted.
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Step 10: Type in the name of the social media site
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Step 11: or use a bookmark
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Step 12: instead of clicking on email links.
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Step 13: Create complicated passwords when you sign up for social media accounts.
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Step 14: Never give out your travel plans over social media sites.
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Step 15: Avoid using online applications on social media sites
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Step 16: or the Internet in general
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Step 17: that require access to your personal or profile information.
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Step 18: Use extreme caution when opening links on social media sites.
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Step 19: Go through these social media guidelines with your children.
Detailed Guide
Make sure you update them regularly both at work and at home.
Most experts suggest that this should be done at least weekly, especially with Windows operating systems (OS).
Many social media sites automatically check this box under your sign in, so be vigilant about making sure it is never saved.
If it saves, it may automatically bring up your account the next time someone else goes to that social media site. , Try to use your full name both in the username and in the profile columns, to prevent anyone else from taking that account and using it to impersonate you.
Treat your name like it is your brand, and try to protect it from illegal usage whenever you can.
Some people have very common names.
If you cannot have your exact name, then try placing a "." between your first and last name.
You can also include your middle name, middle initial or your profession in the username, if that helps to distinguish you apart from others with the same name. , Identity thieves can open accounts and commit a number of financial crimes with just this information.
You can decide if you want to use a profile picture, but try to make it a likeness that you can also use as a brand, and look for anyone else that tries to use it. , Set your profile to private, and make sure you have to approve any friend requests, comments, photo tags, links or posts that appear on your page.
Be very discerning about who you accept friend requests from.
Some thieves create accounts in order to grab information off accounts.
Make sure you know everyone you are friends with, and frequently delete friends who you have no further desire to have contact with. , New and successful social media scams create emails that are tailor made to look like they are directly from a social media provider.
Always assume it is not, and go to the site directly to see if you have a message. , Many experts suggest using a sentence that includes a number and only makes sense to you.
Change your passwords to social media accounts every 1 to 3 months. , In many instances, social media thieves have become actual thieves, taking this data and using it to rob people when they are out of town.
Never be specific about where you live or when you are out of the house. , Unless you intend on reading through their entire terms and conditions policy, you do not know where your information is going.
Many companies sell the information they take off people using their free application to businesses or private individuals. , Even your friends can have their identities stolen on social media sites and post links that lead thieves to retrieve your personal information or hack your computer. , Although many young people are more adept at navigating the Internet, they may not fully understand the implications of posting private information, photos or potentially offensive material on the Internet.
They may have to face even more adept social media thieves in the future, so prepare them well for the task.
About the Author
Christopher Gibson
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow creative arts tutorials.
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