4 Reasons Cybersecurity Is Vital With Social Media Accounts

The time-old saying is human beings are social creatures, and our modern addiction to social media proves the point. People crave connection, whether it’s in person, via text, phone, or online. 

But we’re seeing a rising social media trend: more cybersecurity threats, risks, and attacks. It’s critical to be aware of the following ways that cybercriminals may leverage social media channels to obtain private information about individuals and organizations. 

Everyone’s Data Is Valuable

When you make a social media profile, your data and information are out there for the world to see (even if you make it ‘private’ in your profile settings). So, your information is publicly available to be stolen by potential criminals and generally bad people. 

For example, most people use the same pictures, passwords, emails, and usernames for several social media accounts. They also use the same info for financial accounts, such as those on banking websites. That’s super convenient for you – AND hackers! 

Yet, we usually think we’re ‘special’ and cybercriminals won’t get to us. If you aren’t rich and famous, who would target you? However, whatever money you have in your account is always of interest to cybercriminals. 

Remember, cybersecurity matters for everyone on social media, including you. So, it’s essential to use different passwords, images, and login credentials for your assorted social profiles. 

You can help keep your company safe on social media by reminding employees to change their login credentials often and only use one set for one site. 

Cybercriminals Attack Unused Social Media Accounts

Your company brand may not be present on every large social media channel. Yet, it’s still to be smart and proactive by having an active presence on as many as you have time for. There are two reasons. 

First, your organization benefits from having its online social media presence as uniform as it can. 

Second, if the social media account sits dormant for weeks and months, hackers may breach it and trash your company image. They could, for instance, post inappropriate messages or commit ID theft. 

Hackers Understand Social Engineering

Online thieves know how to trigger fear in their potential victims on social media and email. For instance, you may receive a private message on Facebook or in your Gmail that looks like it came from the social media giant. 

‘Facebook’ might say your account was compromised that day, and you need to provide new login information to safeguard your profile. 

This is the reason it’s critical to safeguard your PC and mobile devices with cybersecurity software. It’s impossible to know when you will be targeted by cybercriminals. 

With updated cybersecurity software, your device will alert you if you receive something suspicious. It also will protect your system if you are sent to a fishy website. 

Malware Dominates On Social Media Channels

Cybersecurity experts are unanimous: Popular social media websites are the entryway to all kinds of nasty malware that can wreak havoc with your privacy and finances. 

Many malware attempts are hidden in links and emails, so it’s simple for them to spread on social media; sometimes, malware is even concealed in social media advertisements. 

The person just clicks that link and thinks they’re going to a LinkedIn profile, but it’s malware that can attack their computer or mobile device. 

These potential ways that cybercriminals misuse social media shouldn’t dissuade you from using it for your organization’s benefit; social media can be an incredibly powerful way to build your brand. 

But it’s always critical to think about how to use social media proactively for business and prevent cybercriminals from damaging your brand. 

See also: What are current best practices in corporate cybersecurity?