Both individuals and organizations who run one or more social media accounts are at risk of a hacking.
Thankfully, there are various steps you can take to secure the likes of your Facebook, Instagram and Twitter profiles, which can protect your important data and reputation.
To ensure you never fall victim to a hacking, find out how to create a secure social media account.
Table of Contents
How to Create a Secure Social Media Account
Understand Cybercrime Threats
While many organizations understand the risks email and unsecured networks can pose to their business, they might fail to take their social media security seriously. However, there are various risks that could lead to a data breach and reputational issues.
The following vulnerabilities can increase your risk of hacking:
- An unattended account
- Imposter accounts (a hacker can set-up an account to closely match your social media handle, which can lead to reputational issues)
- Unmonitored user access
- Human error (an administrator may click on a phishing scam link)
- Connected apps
It is, therefore, essential to educate yourself on the biggest cybersecurity threats to your business so that you can shield your social media accounts and network against a cyberattack. Visit Mcafee to learn more about the latest cybersecurity threats and solutions.
Generate a Strong Password
A strong password will serve as the first line of defense for your social media accounts. If you want to prevent a hacker from accessing a profile, “password123” will not be strong enough. Instead, you must generate an impenetrable password that features capital letters, numbers and various symbols, which will be almost impossible for a cybercriminal to guess.
Routinely Change Your Passwords
While a strong password can make it difficult for a cybercriminal to gain access to a social media account, it is imperative to change it routinely, or it could increase your vulnerability. Aim to change your passwords at least once per quarter, in the chance it falls into the wrong hands. It is also important for companies to change all social media passwords when an employee leaves the business.
Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication can add an extra layer of security onto a social media account. For example, if you or an employee logs into a platform on a new device, they will be required to submit a pin, which will be sent to the account owner either by email or SMS. So, even if a cybercriminal does gain access to your password, they would need a pin to take control of a social profile.
Regularly Review Page Roles and Account Access
Every social media account holder should have a firm understanding of who has access to a profile, and they should regularly review the page roles, as many profiles allow people to assign account admins, managers, and editors.
As a result, you can make sure people are assigned the correct role for their needs, and you also may need to remove a previous employee from an account to prevent them from gaining access to your company information or publishing unauthorized social posts.
