Social Media Security Best Practices
Social Media Security is quickly becoming a critical issue for both individuals and businesses. Social networking is now a primary method of communication, unlike a few years back. The channel is preferred by both large corporations and individuals for many reasons. Most common reasons are the ability to connect with millions of people at once, as well as the possibility to share all kinds of media. These include voice and video calls, pictures, videos, text messages and text messages.
Social media is a popular medium, but security threats are growing due to hackers’ sophistication and increasing number of attacks. Security threats abound and social media users must be aware of the best practices to protect their accounts on social media.
Common security threats affecting social media
Third-party apps
Social media companies are well aware of the cybersecurity threats they face. They regularly assess their systems and apps for vulnerabilities and take the necessary steps to improve their security. Cybercriminals often hack victims using third-party apps. This was demonstrated by Twitter’s security breach. The attackers exploited an application called Twitter Counter that allows them to monitor Twitter activity. This is evident in the security breach at Twitter, where attackers exploited a security flaw in Twitter Counter (an application used to analyze tweet activity).
Malware attacks
Cybercriminals are persistent in their attempts to develop stealth malware programs. They hack into the accounts of victims’ social media accounts using malicious scripts. They can monitor the activities of their victims by tricking them into installing malware. This allows them to gain sensitive information such as usernames and passwords.
Unsecured mobile devices
For quick and easy access, the majority of social media users have installed applications such as Instagram and Facebook on their smartphones. Smartphones are portable and useful for social media use. A mobile device that is connected to social media accounts can be easily compromised. This could lead to identity theft. Malicious individuals may use the stolen accounts to gain their financial gains.
Imposters
Internet con artists excel at creating fake accounts. It is easy to create a fake social media account using current technology. They can monitor the original accounts for long periods of time to reduce suspicion and ensure similar activity. Targeted users may fall for this trap and give out highly sensitive information. Rival companies can also use this tactic to damage the reputation and name of their rivals. Hackers can also use imposter accounts for access to corporate social media accounts.
Unattended account
Sometimes, individuals or companies set up social media accounts but stop monitoring them once they have been used for a while. These accounts are often targeted by cyber attackers because they know that no one is monitoring them. They don’t even have to hack these accounts. Instead, they can create an imposter account and post fraudulent messages. Hackers can use unmonitored accounts to send malicious links or disseminate false information to their followers.
Staying safe
There are many other social media security risks. While the parent companies spend a lot of money on maintaining social media security, users have an enormous responsibility to ensure that their accounts are safe. These are our top tips to improve social media security.
Security Tips for Individual Users
1. Keep an eye on your inbox
Hackers have been using email messages for years to carry out phishing attack. These attacks are where cyber criminals use different methods to trick victims into downloading malware or divulging sensitive information. These methods may include appealing to victims’ interests. Hackers have made it easier to launch phishing attacks through social media. They can easily create convincing messages to convince victims to click a malicious link or download malware-laden attachments by looking at their profile. Monitor the messages, attachments, and links sent to your inbox. Phishing attacks are often sent by unknown individuals and request personal information.
2. Utilize password protection
A unique username and password are required when creating a social media account. Password protection is one of the most effective ways to keep a social media account safe. To gain access to social media platforms, users must create a password. However, creating a unique password is not the same as following best password security practices. Strong passwords are a good practice to improve password security. Strong passwords can stop a brute force attack. It is important to change your password regularly to reduce the chance of it being compromised. It is important to log out of any social media accounts once they have been accessed by another person. Many browsers and applications store passwords that allow anyone to sign in.
3. Use multi-factor authentication
Many social media platforms offer multi-factor and two-factor authentication. These add security to password protection. To enable multi-factor authentication, a user must provide a valid password and another item to verify their authenticity. Two-factor authentication, for example, may send a code via email or phone to the address provided when signing in. Access to the account will be denied if you fail to provide the code. A malicious user cannot gain access to the authentication items because only legitimate account owners have access. Multi-factor authentication is not available on all social media platforms. Account owners must therefore allow multi-factor authentication in their privacy and security settings. Multi-factor authentication can be used to enhance security on social media and prevent unauthorized users from accessing your account.
4. It is difficult to figure security answers
For password resets, users will need to provide their phone number and email address when creating a Facebook account. Malicious people may be able to access the phone numbers or email accounts and use them to reset passwords. They can then sign in as the owner to send phishing messages or post harmful content. Security answers can be used to enhance security on social media. Resetting passwords may require you to answer security questions. The wrong answer will prevent a password reset. This strengthens social media security. The security and privacy settings must be set to enable the security questions that will be used for password reset, just as multi-factor authentication.
5. You can manage your privacy settings
Social media users are responsible for their own security as well as that of their accounts. They should be proactive about managing their privacy settings to control who can view their posts and timeline activities. Privacy settings can protect users from social media phishers. An attacker must know the target’s interests in order to create a successful message of phishing. Privacy settings, such as followers and friends being able to view the timeline history, can be used to prevent phishing attacks.
It is important to be cautious with what a user posts on social networks. Hackers are primarily looking for personal information, such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and passwords. A cyber attacker’s job is made easier by posting such information on public platforms like Facebook. Hackers can easily steal a user’s identity if they have access to more personal information than they post on social media.
6. Computers and mobile devices that are secure
Sometimes all that a cybercriminal needs to compromise social media security are a vulnerable computer. Hackers exploit mobile and computer vulnerabilities to install malware programs. Hackers can monitor the activities of any victim remotely using the malware. This could allow a cybercriminal to access the victim’s social networks accounts.
You have many options to protect your computer and mobile devices. Anti virus solutions are able to detect any malware programs on your computer. Installing the most recent security updates is possible by downloading updates as soon as they are available, especially for social media apps. Cybercriminals are unable to exploit security flaws.
7. Who are your social media friends and followers?
Social media security can be improved by verifying requests made by friends and followers. Social media’s main purpose is to connect people from all over the globe. Hackers use these opportunities to create fake profiles on social media and send requests to hundreds of users, increasing the chance of finding an easy target. To verify the authenticity of a social media profile, it is important to do so. This is easy because a legitimate profile should include a history of the owner’s activities. This includes sharing photos and commenting on posts made by friends. Cybercriminals can use a fake account to create a profile that contains difficult-to-verify information. For further investigation, you should delete such requests and block or report them.
Security Tips for Social Media Security in Business
Social media is a popular tool for businesses. Different social media platforms are used by businesses to promote products and interact with customers. These sites are used extensively because of their many advantages. They can respond to customer queries in real time, promote products around the world, and maintain a business’ image and reputation. Companies must make sure their social media accounts remain secure as social media is the face of the company. Here are some top tips for businesses to use when protecting their social media accounts.
1. Perform frequent audits
The threats to social media security are constantly changing due to new technology and hacking techniques. Cybercriminals are constantly coming up with new scams, viruses, and strategies to hack into businesses’ social media accounts. A company that wants to stay ahead of cybercriminals should conduct regular audits of all security measures in place. An annual or semi-annual audit suffices. A review of the following should be used to guide a thorough inspection.
2. Policy on social media
Social media policies are designed to help businesses communicate effectively. Businesses should regularly review their policies in order to adapt to changes in social media usage or security practices. Regular review is a good way to ensure that the security documents for social media are still useful.
3. Access and publishing privileges
An organization can protect its social media accounts by auditing access and publishing permissions. Permissions review is essential because it allows users to identify who has the right to publish on the platforms. Some users may have had their access revoked or changed their roles. Auditing makes sure that only those with the required permissions have access to social media and can publish.
4. Privacy settings
Updates to privacy settings are a common practice on social media platforms. Updates can affect security as accounts will still be using old privacy settings. Companies should regularly review their security settings in order to make sure they are compatible with the latest updates.
5. Keep an eye out for recent threats
Any company’s IT department should keep track of new risks and work solutions. Monitoring emerging threats allows a company to take the necessary steps to respond to them or prevent them from happening entirely.
6. Implement a system to approve new posts
Every business fears any negative publicity that could damage their reputation. Anyone with the right login information can gain access to the account and post information that could damage the company’s reputation. However, employees with good intentions may use the same platform for sensitive business information. This information could include previously unreleased products and services. A user can also post personal information to a company social media account. Although it does not pose a significant threat to the account’s safety, this can be a sign that a business is unable to control information flow and could affect its reputation as well as its customer base.
Therefore, every organization should have a system in place that allows it to approve all information posted. This information could include identifying a group of people who can approve different types information. An employee in the finance and marketing departments can approve information that originates from their respective sections. A recent example was when a Z-Burger marketing contractor posted a graphic of a dead journalist on its Twitter handle. Although the contractor was granted publishing rights, the company did not have a system to approve new posts.
7. All social media accounts should be monitored
Unmonitored accounts pose the greatest threat to security on social media. Hackers are attracted to unmonitored accounts because they are easy for hackers to hack and impersonate. A company should monitor all social media channels. This is a necessary security measure. Accounts that are used daily, as well as accounts that were only used briefly or never used should be monitored. It is possible to identify any cyber-criminal who hacks into the accounts. Monitoring the account usage patterns is not enough. Monitoring the authenticity and originality of any posted information is essential. Cross-referencing posts between the company’s content calendar and a business is a way to do this.
A business can also ensure sufficient security through social media monitoring by following up on all communications. The purpose of social media platforms is to make it appear that all information sent through them comes from the owner or authorized user. This is not always true. Even if all activity appears legitimate, digging into them can reveal security risks that could cause problems with social media access and usage. It is possible for content to be altered from what was intended. It could be human error or unauthorized access. Monitoring should also include monitoring employees for inappropriate remarks or mentions of the brand, negative conversations about the business and imposter accounts.
8. Designate a social media manager
It can increase security by creating a role for employees responsible for managing social media accounts. This role can help to strengthen the security measures taken to mitigate threats and risks. This person should be responsible to develop and manage social media security policies. Monitoring the company’s social media presence is a vital role. This includes determining who has permission to access and post on the accounts. This is especially important as unauthorized access or posts can compromise the integrity and security of the account.
Collaboration with the IT department is essential to ensure that employees responsible for managing social media accounts at an organization are performing their duties effectively. Good relationships are essential for facilitating adequate risk mitigation and prevention. The social media officer must also work closely with all departments to ensure that accounts are being fulfilled. This could include marketing. The officer can then approve or deny authorizing posts based on their impact on the organization’s objectives, strategies, and regulations.
9. Limit the use of social media
According to a survey done by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, organizational employees have higher possibilities of causing social media security risks compared to hackers. Security risks can be created by employees who make mistakes when posting to a company’s timeline. Limiting social media use is the best way to keep your company’s accounts safe. A business might assign different roles to different teams, such as creating new posts or messaging customers via social media. But not everyone needs the permissions to post. Neither should all members of the team have access to login passwords.
In order to manage social media security, it is important that employees are not allowed to post. After identifying employees who have permission to post, a company should look into software that allows direct access without the need for a username or password. This would make it unnecessary to constantly change login credentials after an employee leaves or if permissions are revoked.
10. Learn the best social media security techniques
If employees don’t know the best ways to use social media, even the most powerful security policies, it can prove ineffective. Training staff allows them to learn how to implement such policies. Staff can also learn how to prevent social media security threats from happening and what their responsibilities are. Training sessions allow businesses to take the time to review policies and update them as needed.
11. Social media policy should be maintained
Every business that uses social media or plans to use it must have a comprehensive policy in place to protect its security. A policy that is effective should include guidelines to prevent negative PR and legal battles, as well as mitigation of security threats. These are some of the guidelines you should include in your policy:
- Access to social media accounts for company employees or departments by team members
- Guidelines for password management strategies
- How employees can spot social media scams and threats and how they can be reported
- Rules for the use of social media personal to work
- Guidelines for discussing the brand of your business on social media
- Automated security technology investments
Human operators are not always able to monitor social media activities around the clock and can make mistakes. This can make monitoring difficult. Some threats may go unnoticed and cause serious security breaches. Automated solutions can stop this from happening because they don’t make mistakes and are constantly monitored. An automated security monitoring system can detect offensive posts that could damage a company’s reputation. It can also detect attachments and links used to perpetrate phishing campaigns, impersonate companies, or target customers with scams. A business can have enhanced social media security.
