How to Secure Your Social Media Accounts

Your Social Life is Your Data

Social media platforms are designed to encourage sharing, but this often comes at the cost of your privacy. Every photo, status update, and check-in adds to your digital footprint and can be collected by the platform, data brokers, and potentially malicious actors. Securing your accounts is not optional; it's essential.

Universal Privacy Steps for Any Platform

1. Conduct a Privacy Checkup: Most major platforms (Facebook, Google, etc.) have a built-in 'Privacy Checkup' tool. Use it. It will guide you through your most important settings.
2. Set Your Profile to Private: This is the single most effective step. It ensures that only people you approve can see your posts and personal information.
3. Be Selective with Friend Requests: Don't accept requests from people you don't know. They could be fake profiles designed to scrape your data.
4. Limit Ad Tracking: Go into your account's ad settings. You can often limit how the platform uses your data to show you personalized ads.
5. Turn Off Location Services: Do not allow the app to track your location constantly. Only grant location permission while using the app if absolutely necessary, and avoid tagging your exact location in posts.

The Risk of Third-Party Apps

Be extremely cautious about connecting third-party apps and quizzes to your social media accounts. When you grant access, you are often giving them permission to view your friend list, posts, and personal details. Regularly review and remove any connected apps you no longer use or trust.