For many of us the use of social media platforms has become an essential part of our online lives and the way we connect with others. This is why it is important we remind ourselves that malicious actors make great use of social media to find new targets, and we should be extra cautious with how we protect ourselves.

Follow these 5 tips to learn how to employ greater security and safety when using social media.

1. Be cautious by not sharing too much personal information

While sharing some information is okay, other facts can reveal too much about who a person is. Certain information such as date and place of birth, home address or phone number, can make you vulnerable to malicious actors.

It is also extremely important to never reveal credit or debit card information, banking credentials, or passwords on any social networking site. If such information is shared it would be very easy to fall victim to malicious actors online.

2. Actively manage your privacy settings

Nearly all social networking sites have pre-set or default privacy settings. Altering your privacy settings can allow the account holder to block strangers from viewing his or her private information.

It is advisable to set limits so that you only share information with people in your network. Check your privacy settings regularly to make sure there are not any changes you do not agree with.

3. Use strong passwords for social media accounts

As mentioned in our previous topic on how to make strong passwords, the more difficult your password is to guess, the lower the likelihood that you will fall victim to a break in from malicious actors.

Ensure that your passwords are at least 10 characters, include upper-case and lower-case letters and include numbers and symbols. Additionally, changing account passwords regularly helps to ensure a malicious actor hasn’t gained access to your account. It is recommended to change your password every 3 months or less to accomplish this.

4. Remember that once posted, always posted

Once information goes on the Internet it is difficult, if not impossible to remove. Depending on what was originally submitted, the information can prove detrimental for future prospects and may even leave a person vulnerable to malicious actors. Protect your reputation by thinking twice before posting any content you wouldn't want family members or future employers to see.

5. Beware of fake accounts by verifying who you are connecting with online

The availability of images and other personal information on social media networks makes it easy for malicious actors to create convincing fake accounts. Fake accounts may be setup to hide behind other identities while making false statements or sending people to malicious fraud sites.

If there is ever uncertainty about the authenticity of an account that claims to belong to a friend, check with the individual for verification that it is or isn’t legitimate.