Virtual Private Networks can be used to conceal your identity and prevent your private data being misused. They are like the Swiss Army knife of security apps. They allow you to access all corners of the internet while minimizing your footprint. However, a VPN can hide your identity online, especially on popular social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.
If you voluntarily share personal information, a VPN cannot hide your identity via social media. The VPN will establish a secure tunnel around your connection but all data you share will be visible to the site.
What does a VPN do to hide from social media websites?
Before we get into more detail about the topic , it is important to distinguish between privacy and anonymity . Privacy-related issues are often encountered by people who don’t know the difference. A VPN is the best choice if you desire privacy while using social media sites. You should not log into any social media site if you want anonymity online.
A VPN does not offer full protection for social media sites like Instagram and Facebook. This will mask your IP address and encrypt information from your ISP or other third-party websites, but it won’t make you anonymous on the site.
As an example, Facebook will still be able see your likes, who you follow, interact with and any other financial or personal information that you share on the platform. The site will have your full name, location, preferences, credit card information, and even your credit card number if you have ever bought anything on the site. Your user experience will not change, as the VPN will protect your data from possible interception attempts.
Privacy concerns related to social media
There has been growing concern about the privacy of online users since the rise of social media platforms. Privacy concerns related to social media include:
Social Profiling
Most likely the most serious privacy concern is sharing information with social networking sites. Social profiling presumes users’ worth through measuring their influence on social media and their interaction on them.
This can lead to one-dimensional profiles. This also means that someone who doesn’t have a strong social presence will have lower social value.
Third-party data access
Most social media users don’t realize how much information SM websites collect about them. Facebook is the most popular social media site worldwide. Facebook was the first company to implement facial recognition. Facebook has a long history of collecting data on users, including:
- Personally Identifiable Information
- Histories of location
- Contacts for the User by Phone
- Texts and calls
- User Interests
- Device Information
- Credit Card Details
No company should have so much information about you, particularly considering the many instances SM sites have had over the years, such as selling user data to advertising companies and third-party websites. Although the CCPA and GDRP acts have made online life easier, social media tracking remains widespread on almost every platform.
Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking is primarily an online form of stalking. However, it can sometimes spill over into real life. Cyberstalking is almost equally harmful to both men and women than traditional stalking which mostly affects women.
Cyberstalkers are able to pinpoint your exact location based on your online activity and social media posts. Cyberstalking can be one of the worst consequences of sharing too much information on social media.
How to protect your identity on social media
It can be difficult to maintain your online privacy and active social media presence while protecting your online privacy. There are some practical ways to protect your online identity via social media if you can manage both.
- Use Two-factor Authentication This will provide additional security for your social media profiles and prevent anyone trying to break them.
- Do not cross-connect SM Accounts Almost every website offers the option to connect your account with multiple social networking platforms. While this may seem like a convenient option, it is best to not do so. You will only give more information and allow sites compare and exchange data about you.
- You can customize your privacy settings. This will allow you to keep SM profiles private and secure. Consider removing access to third-party programs and apps that you don’t use.
- Use VPN. Connecting to a VPN while you use social media sites will help protect your information.
How to hide your identity on social media apps and sites
There’s only one way to keep your privacy and anonymity intact if you don’t want to use social media. That’s to create an anonymous profile that isn’t tied to your real identity .
Here are some ways to hide your identity via social media.
- Trusted and proven VPN (Â NordVPNÂ recommended).
- Connect your network with a VPN server
- Open the website in Incognito mode, or use an Open Source browser.
- Register on the site with fake information
- Step 1 and 2 are required before you log in to the site each time.
This method works best for privacy-conscious users who are very careful about sharing their identity via SM apps or sites. You should remember that this method of using social media does not allow you to add friends, places, or interests that could be used by the site to target your actual geographical location.
