Basic security steps makes it far less likely hackers will make the effort to break in.
Protect your accounts from things like:
- Stealing your account and changing the handle in order to take your hard earned followers.
- Sending out compromised links to your followers.
- Attempting to phish personal information from your customers.
Avoid putting your social media accounts at risk by implementing these simple tips.
1. Be very selective with third-party applications.
When you use a third-party application, such as a social media post scheduler, they will require access to your account. Make sure you are only authorizing legitimate applications to gain access. And be sure to read the details of what exactly you are authorizing the particular application to gain access to.
Some applications will only need minimum permissions, such as the ability to read and post content, so always read the fine print before granting access. It’s a good idea to login to all of your social media accounts and see what applications you are currently allowing to access your profiles.
2. Use strong passwords.
Remembering passwords considered to be “strong” can be a pain in the rear. Even Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, wasn’t too fond of difficult passwords — until he was hacked.
His Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest accounts were compromised and his password was later revealed “Dadada.” This just goes to show you that the majority of people don’t take their password strength too seriously. Most people think, “It will never happen.”
So make sure you use a password that’s difficult to crack. Tools such as How Secure Is My Password will help you rate your password strength. For example, it says it would take a computer 552 quadrillion years to crack the password “Secure100Password3!”
Example of a password generated using keypass 2.o might I remind you this tool is portable the database can be copied saved to any device opened and used across any system by just moving the database from one device to another.
PL5ZNhzW!~.nA50$@rYToHVTxY;^|jZPo$3eNyXpiLbNxE3VyfS97RZHv/’Zv=A&N~M8OHS7d&JL6H~M?*!jROTW`PY’etdsVO;LGN4ye*iZElRaA7JiG8=N!jbJ\bCMC&rtb;aI+&q@?j0miO3$zhpBo1F’EdH8/M$z#;aLkio$$;uf!4s*8A@Fj@/5S+sI1WUG3alW6vjaX~5N\D9rOOnkr!l$$XtjMR.xAazo%4=efz$uvHW7wwaM^^%sv~QN6P`CyBE6QP5??!^t=ZU^TRs`g3eq4vnkx:W@bWB;Qx&=bfkMuE/%Xc:wwpfq5!S”iU!m52~SGRmq+@P/?NKx:”g0ELGb=uH33LDdX~gWLs42uA;.y~oCaAays8QY*00k8~,Gp’gⅅ?\H2″c!Mpe`;y71s*TxR3:mH@mld’iQRsizh;a;/he38a?!g7ttmvVb$KpAdMGwB3AO`@q,,1S3L,s?je\cP”rEI4Urn411g@EXw3Ijm#EoQ\O^#n4Cl!V&gdxP9~*e1hGCgd2Z/u:$ku8\;6gqq’an&$4J:5USlk?/CnKPMC8\Ej=lMp|B^CU6hquZod1D
That is a password I used long, long ago of course no longer used anywhere especially now just an example point is you don’t have to remember them and never forget them do you think this password would have gotten hacked?
3. Install antivirus software.
Many internet service providers (ISPs) will provide some form of security protection — you can compare local ISPs to see if there are better options available in your immediate area, or you can install an antivirus program, Comodo Internet Security (CIS) Premium, which does offer a free version and works great no conflicts with Windows. I would suggest going with the pro version, but if you are on a tight budget the free version is definitely better than no protection at all.
4. Enable two-factor authentication.
Two-factor authentication confirms a user’s identity by utilizing a combination of two different components, typically the account password and a confirmation code, which is sent to the user via text message or email.
To be honest, anyone not taking advantage of this feature is asking for trouble. It’s worth the extra hassle to ensure that your accounts stay safe. Here are some guides that show you how to enable it on Facebook.
5. Move passwords to a management program.
KeePass Password Safe
is program that remembers all of your passwords, forcing you to only remember one master password. With so many “difficult” to remember passwords, oftentimes you have to end up resetting your password, giving you yet another impossible-to-remember password to add to the mix. You can also sync the service across all of your browsers and devices.
