Using social media is always a gamble when it comes to personal data and hacking risks — but, let’s be honest, it’s a gamble most people are willing to take. Apps like TikTok, Instagram, and even Facebook offer too much in terms of connection and networking at this point, and they probably aren’t going anywhere. With that said, there are still major risks involved anytime you use an app that requires you to provide a constant stream of personal data like photos, locations, and keywords that alert advertisers to the things you may want to buy.
The best step you can take when using social media is to beef up your security and avoid common pitfalls. Tech Expert Mia Garcia, the founder and CEO of iToolab, considers these two social media mistakes to be among the worst because they are putting your personal data at risk.
You skip security essentials
The mistake that people make most is failing to take advantage of security essentials like two-factor authentication and strong passwords, Garcia noted. “Creative passwords that include both capitalized letters and numbers are particularly effective,” Garcia said. “It’s also worth remembering to change passwords often to avoid being at risk due to a leaked database or another social media data breach.”
You reuse passwords on multiple accounts
On that note: even if you are changing your passwords every month, it’s important to not continually reuse the same passwords across multiple accounts. “Most people use the same password for all their social media accounts,” Garcia said. “This is not a good idea and poses a risk of hacking as each account is easily compromised. Using strong passwords for every account is one of the best ways to protect your data from becoming vulnerable.”
We know how much of a pain it can be trying to juggle a million passwords and remember them all. If this is the case for you, use a password manager that can create complex passwords that you won’t have to remember (or, worse, that you write down in a notebook that you then misplace in your house).
