Navigating Social Media
Protecting Your Online Presence
If there's one thing we can't deny, it's that social media has become an integral part of our lives. It's the place where we connect with friends, share funny cat videos, and catch up on the latest gossip. But here's the catch: the less you share publicly, the better.
You see, there's a darker side to social media, one that often goes unnoticed. Cybercriminals are lurking in the shadows, using our seemingly harmless posts to gather information and target us or our organizations.
Let's take a moment to consider this: have you ever posted your pet's name or casually mentioned your mother's maiden name? If you have, congratulations, you've just provided cybercriminals with answers to two common security questions.
But there are steps you can take to navigate the social media world with confidence and keep those cybercriminals at bay. Here's a handy guide to help you protect yourself and your online presence:
1. Limit Your Information: The first rule of thumb is to limit the information you post on social media. Sure, sharing is caring, but do you really need to reveal specific details about yourself, your organization, or your family? Probably not. Keep it vague, keep it safe.
2. Beware of the Tempting Offers: We've all seen those "too-good-to-be-true" offers and sensationalized news articles that pop up on our feeds. The rule here is simple: never click on them. Stay vigilant and resist the urge to be click baited.
3. Privacy and Security Settings: Your social media platforms come equipped with privacy and security settings for a reason. Use them! Set your accounts to private, limit who can see your posts, and be selective about your friend requests.
4. Report Suspicious Activity: Lastly, if you ever come across something fishy within the platform, don't hesitate to report it. Social media companies have teams dedicated to sniffing out cyber threats, and your vigilance can help them keep the platform safer for everyone.
In a world where oversharing is the norm, it's crucial to be the exception. Your online presence has a lot of vital and potentially sensitive information - it's up to you to guard it. So, the next time you log in to your favorite social media platform, remember - share less, click wisely, lock it up, and report the suspicious.
More tips:
- If you receive a suspicious call or text, please call us at 888.336.2700 to confirm the message is truly from us.
- Visit our Security and Fraud Protection page for more support.
Visit the DFCU Financial Security and Fraud Protection page to learn more about this topic as well as our legitimate debit card messaging service, Enfact.