Protecting Your Privacy on Social Media: Cybersecurity Tools to Try

There are better places for those concerned about their privacy than social media. While you can use social media for private communication only, sharing personal information online with random people without a second thought is not unusual.

Cybercriminals love it because they can use any information people shares to steal their identity. They can also use it as bait in a scam directed against any uncareful person.

That’s why the only way to actually protect your privacy online is with the help of some excellent cybersecurity tools. In this article, we listed five of the most helpful ones.

VPN – for your online privacy

A virtual private network (VPN) is the number one choice for everybody using the internet today. It is a safe network that encrypts your internet connection by passing it through a secure server. Having it on during your daily browsing time makes it difficult for anyone to view your internet traffic because every data transmission is entirely safe and confidential.

VPNs are especially important when using public Wi-Fi networks. That’s because it’s more likely to encounter identity thieves and hackers there – they can easily access information about you through public Wi-Fi.

Two-Factor Authentication – an extra step for log-ins

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security tool that demands users to present two different forms of identity before providing access to an account. This could involve a password and a fingerprint scan or a password and a code delivered to your phone. With this nifty tool, even if someone cracks your password, they will not be able to access your account without the additional verification step.

However, that doesn’t mean you can use weak passwords and hope for the two-factor authentication to take care of the rest. Even extra authentication can be bypassed if you’re not careful enough about where you enter your login credentials. That’s why you should make all login steps more difficult for hackers. But that takes us to another tool.

Password manager – a place to create and store strong passwords

By using a password manager, you may safely keep all of your passwords in one location. That’s a way safer place than an Excel spreadsheet or a Word file. Your sensitive data will be protected by robust encryption if you choose the right provider.

Because your passwords are saved and accessed using a single master password or passphrase, password managers also make it simple to remember your passwords. To help ensure optimum security, some password managers even include extra features like the capacity to create strong and randomized passwords for each of your accounts.

Anti-virus – protection from human mistakes

To understand what anti-virus software aims at, picture it as a vigilant detective, constantly scanning your device for any suspicious activity. Anti-virus is like having a trusty sidekick that sniffs out those mischievous viruses, spyware, and malware that can sneak in when you least expect it. They’re here to protect your data and keep cybercriminals at bay.

Most anti-virus software scans your device for known threats. Once a threat is identified, this software swings into action, swiftly quarantining those evil creatures before they can cause any harm. This process can be done automatically or manually. When a virus is detected, the software usually prompts you for permission before removing the threat. With anti-virus on your side, your device stays a little safer from the clutches of cyber threats.

Firewall – blocking the potential threats

Firewalls are another important cybersecurity tool used to block unauthorized access to your computer or network. They act as a barrier between your computer and any potential threats on the internet, making sure that only legitimate traffic is able to pass through.

In addition, firewalls can block certain types of malicious software, such as viruses and malware. This software offers an additional layer of security to protect sensitive data from potential online invaders. That makes firewalls particularly valuable for enterprises that rely on the Internet for their daily operations.

Extra tips to ensure a safe online journey

It’s no doubt that using these technologies will help you immensely. Unfortunately, they may not always be sufficient to guarantee total privacy and protection. Nowadays, it’s common for social media platforms to share your information without your knowledge with other parties – such as advertising, data analysis companies, or even law enforcement organizations. That’s why taking additional steps to safeguard your privacy while using social media is crucial.

First, be very careful with the information you share online. Avoid sharing your phone number or date of birth, and don’t even think of mentioning too many details concerning the place you live. Keeping your birth date private may rob you of extra birthday wishes, but then nobody will steal your identity or commit even worse crimes. Also, if you shared something you regret, there’s a way to remove your information from the internet.

Second, adjust your privacy settings on social media platforms to limit the amount of data shared publicly. This may include restricting who can see your posts and personal information and disabling location services on most apps you use.

Finally, keep track of new ways to perform scams and phishing attempts. These will most likely come in the form of fake social media profiles, messages, or emails that attempt to trick you into providing personal information or clicking on a link that installs malware on your device.

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