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Social media has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry. It has become such a big part of people’s lives that it’s often the first place they go when they wake up in the mornings, and the last thing they check before they go to sleep.
This giant form of socializing and consumerism comes at a price though. Cybercriminals can use any private information to find victims for their next cyber attack. They often use the information that is readily available on social media platforms.
Many people do not have private accounts, and cybercriminals know that they will most likely not have cybersecurity measures in place either. You would be surprised just how much of your information someone can steal simply by going through your social media pages.
Cyber criminals can make use of even the most basic of information. If our social media accounts are not set to private, or we are not careful of what we post online, our security could be at risk.
Some people post too much information on social media. However, it’s mainly because they don’t have a true understanding of how that information can be used against you. For example with guessing passwords.
A hacker will be able to find your name and date of birth media pages. Surprisingly, many people use those two elements in some combination or another to create their passwords. This will become easy for hackers to guess.
Many people also help hackers by posting other information such as the names of their pets, their hobbies, favorite movies and music. Any of this information can be used to commit crimes against you.
Many people also give away their locations often. This allows criminals to understand your daily routine and when you will be at your most vulnerable. It can also allow them to keep track of when you are away from home or out of town on holiday.
Once cybercriminals have stolen the data they need, they have several options. They require very specific information to commit their crimes, however, in some cases this information can be found on people’s social media profiles.
A hacker can use your name, date of birth and physical address to commit identity theft. In some cases they can open an account in your name. The account will never be paid and you will be the person who will get into trouble for not paying an account that you never even knew you had.
Hackers can also use your information to try and crack your passwords. They can do this by using any of the information that is readily available such as your name, date of birth or even your pet’s name. Most criminals understand how people set up their passwords, which makes it easier for them.
Cybercriminals can also use your hobbies and things you like to target you for a cyberattack. For example, they might set up a fan website with your favorite athlete as the focus. Once you go to the website you might be spammed with links and pop up ads.
As soon as you click one of the ads or the links, malicious software will be downloaded on your device. The software can range from viruses to spyware and even ransomware. Any of these can do serious harm.
The risks you face on social media doesn’t necessarily mean you need to completely stay away from it. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to stay safe while you browse your favorite social media platforms.
The first step you need to take is to make your accounts private. Private accounts will prevent strangers from seeing what you post online. It will also be a sign that you take your privacy and security seriously.
You should also be careful what you post online. Never reveal too much personal information, even if your social media circle consists of close friends and family members. If one of their accounts are breached, yours could be next.
Keeping your devices secure is the next step to staying safe online. If you have proper cybersecurity measures in place you can rest assured that your devices will be kept safe from cyberattacks.
The first step you need to take is to install antivirus software. Antivirus is used to detect any malicious software that has been installed on our device. While you might not see it, the antivirus software will quickly inform you if there is anything suspicious happening on your device.
You also need to ensure that you use VPN software regularly. A VPN will encrypt your internet traffic so that no one is able to access your devices. It can also hide your location from potential hackers trying to locate you.
