8 useful tips to help users stay safe when using social networks

Social media is a virtual space where people can easily connect, interact and share everything in life. It can be a place for us to send birthday wishes to friends, show off our best selfies, or even heatedly debate about seemingly small issues like whether pineapple should appear on pizza or not,...

However, while we are busy scrolling through each status line, liking, hearting and sharing, it is easy to forget the fact that social media is not only a fun playground, but also has many potential risks.

These can be risks related to privacy, personal information security, and sometimes dangers from sharing too much information that we do not foresee.

Here are eight helpful tips to help you protect your personal information, enhance your privacy, and avoid potential risks when using social media.

1. Lock down your privacy settings

Privacy settings are your first line of defense against unwanted prying eyes. Most social media platforms give you control over who can see your posts, what information appears on your profile, and who can tag you. But in reality, many people don't really care about this.

On Facebook, don’t miss the “Privacy Checkup” tool, your companion tool that makes it easy to take control of your personal information. It guides you step-by-step, from adjusting who can see your posts to limiting who can find you by email or phone number.

On Instagram, consider making your account private if you want to control who follows and sees your posts. You can also easily adjust your settings to limit who can message you or tag you in photos.

On TikTok, you can protect your privacy by switching your account to private mode in your settings. This mode only allows people you approve to follow you to see your videos.

2. Think before you post

This is a common piece of advice, but it never gets old. Posting your current location, flaunting expensive items, or revealing too much personal information can make you a target for scammers, thieves, or even dangerous stalkers.

In particular, consider delaying your location tagging. If you want to share about your amazing vacation, it’s best to wait until you’re back home. There’s no need to announce to the world that your house is vacant.

Also, avoid sharing sensitive personal information like your date of birth, address or phone number as these details should not be made public on social media.

Scammers can use your personal information to steal your identity. Be especially careful when sharing photos of children. If you post photos of your child, avoid revealing sensitive details such as the name of the school, the uniform, or any information that could identify the child.

Remember, once you share something online, it's out there for the world to see. So think carefully before you hit that "post" button.

3. Be careful of scams

Social media is a playground for scammers. Fake giveaways, deceptive links, and “urgent” messages from seemingly trustworthy companies are all traps you need to be wary of.

If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably isn't. Offers like "Win a free iPhone!" or "Click here to win a $500 gift card" are often scams.

Before clicking any links, hover over them to check the web URL address. If the address looks suspicious or doesn't match the source, don't click it.

Be wary of fake accounts, too, as scammers often create fake profiles that look like real people or reputable companies. Verify the authenticity of these accounts before interacting. When in doubt, ignore or report suspicious activity.

4. Application restrictions and third-party permissions

Have you ever tried taking a fun quiz like "What's Your Spirit Animal?" or using an app to discover your top Facebook topics? While these are fun, they often require access to your account, and not all of them are trustworthy.

Take some time to review the apps and services you have connected to your social media accounts.

For example, on Facebook, go to "Apps & Websites" in your settings and delete any apps or services you don't recognize or no longer use. This helps keep your account clean and reduces potential security vulnerabilities.

5. Pay attention to your friends list

While it can be tempting to accept every friend request or follow everyone back, not everyone has good intentions. It's a good idea to "clean up" your social media every once in a while.

Unfriend or unfollow accounts you don’t recognize. Avoid connecting with people you don’t know in real life. Be especially wary of accounts that don’t have a profile picture, are inactive, or leave generic comments; they could be bots or fake profiles.

6. Monitor your account regularly

Even if you take all security measures, it's important to always monitor your account for any signs of suspicious activity.

Regularly check your login history (most platforms provide information about recent logins) and look out for strange signs like messages you didn't send, posts or comments you didn't make, and any changes to your profile information.

If you find anything unusual, change your password immediately and report the incident to the platform to protect your account.

7. Use the report and block features on social media

Don't hesitate to use the report and block features on social media when necessary. If someone is harassing you, spamming you, or acting shady, don't hesitate to block them immediately.

You can also report inappropriate accounts or content. Whether it’s hate speech, misinformation, or unethical behavior, your reports help platforms identify and remove harmful users, helping to create a safer online environment.

8. Learn and share security tips with your loved ones

The more you understand about social media safety, the better you can protect yourself, and this applies to your friends and family too. Share these safety tips with your loved ones, especially those who are less tech-savvy.

Also, teaching them how to set up two-factor authentication (2FA) or recognize online scams can help them avoid a host of risks and hassles in the digital world.

Phan Van Hoa