Social media platforms are prevalent in our daily lives, but they also pose significant security risks. Here are some tips to protect your online presence and keep your data private.
Privacy Settings
Every social media platform offers privacy settings that can help you take control of your accounts. Here are some key actions you can take:
- Configure privacy settings to the highest level of security: This ensures that only trusted friends and family can view your personal posts.
- Regularly review and update settings: Platforms frequently change and add security options and benefits, so it’s important to stay up to date.
- Manage LinkedIn data usage: To stop LinkedIn from using your data for generative AI models, go to the “Settings and Privacy” menu by clicking your profile picture. Within the Settings menu, click the “Data Privacy” tab and look for the option that reads “Data for Generative AI Improvement.”
Cleansing Online Profiles
Over time, our social media profiles continue to accumulate a lot of information. Regularly review and cleanse your profiles by:
- Deleting old posts and photos: Remove content that you wouldn’t want a stranger or business partner to see.
- Removing outdated connections: Disconnect from people you no longer communicate with or trust to ensure only trustworthy users can interact with your content.
Removing Excess Data
Often, we share more information than necessary on social media. To minimize potential risks:
- Limit personal details: Avoid sharing home and work addresses, phone numbers, and even birthdays, as this information is often used in fraud or social engineering attacks.
- Review old posts: Ensure that details about your personal life or daily routine are not given away to protect your privacy and personal safety.
The information provided in the blog post is based on general best practices for online security and privacy. Widely recommended by cybersecurity experts and organizations such as the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
