Social media is a part of our everyday lives and is a great tool to communicate with people. However, sharing too much personal information, and not safeguarding your account could put you at risk. Many people have "friends" all over the world who can view, comment on, and share your social media posts. But do you know who is behind the profiles of all your friends? Or how someone might use your data? Although sharing online may seem normal, it is also an open door to digital risk for fraudsters to attempt to mine your data, send phishing links, or even create fake profiles to scam you. Here are some tips on how to keep your virtual life more secure from scammers.

Use unique passwords

Every social media site requires a password to log in and verify you. It may seem tedious to create different passwords for each site, but it is very important to maintain a healthy level of security. When creating passwords, consider the uniqueness of the password, its intricacy, and longevity. Avoid something guessable, like your birthday, a pet's name, or the street you grew up on. Create something only you would know with a mix of numbers, letters, and symbols to keep your passwords as strong as possible.

Check your data settings

Social media sites will ask permission to mine personal data or cross-track information from your device, sometimes continuously, even when you are not using the app. Checking your privacy settings is crucial, as well as knowing the trustworthiness and security of the website. You can often customize these settings in each app and only allow access to the bare minimum for functionality. Ensuring any syncing, microphone access, camera, and location are off unless needed is a helpful way to keep your digital footprint safer.

Think before you click

Cybercriminals can create fake social media profiles using a tactic called phishing. These profiles might be of people you know. Scammers can send counterfeit emails, mimic legitimate websites, or directly message you, hoping you will download a malicious file or click on a bad link to gain access to your data. Things to look out for include random friend requests, emails with typos, messages from someone you don't recognize, or an offer that seems too good to be true. If you receive a friend request from someone you are already friends with, check with them before accepting. They may be a victim of an account takeover. 

Beware of quizzes and "clickbait" articles that can lead you to nefarious websites. Fraudsters will try many different tactics to lure information from you, so take a moment before responding or clicking on a link and think to yourself, does this make sense? Staying aware and diligent is your best defense in a tricky digital landscape.