Nowadays, social media They're part of our daily lives: they connect us to friends, family, colleagues, and the world around us. However, this connectivity brings with it certain risks that, if not managed properly, can jeopardize our personal information, our privacy, and the security of our accounts. Learn more in this complete guide. how to keep your social networks safe with the best cybersecurity tips and strategies.
Why it is key to protect your social networks
Daily use of platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn, among others, involves sharing personal data, photos, videos, likes, and even professional or financial information. Cybercriminals are constantly seeking to exploit these platforms or attack users in different ways: from the credential theft to blackmail, identity theft, harassment and fraud.
Furthermore, the most common mistakes often stem from users' own careless behavior: posting sensitive information, accepting friend requests from strangers, using weak passwords, connecting from insecure devices, or ignoring privacy features. Therefore, following a series of preventive measures is essential.
Configure the privacy of your accounts in detail
One of the first steps in protecting your profiles is to properly set up your privacy options on each social network. This way, you'll control who can see your content, who can contact you, and how other people can interact with you and your posts:
- make your profile private As long as the platform allows it. Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok allow you to configure your profile so that only your approved followers can see what you post.
- Limit who can message you, mention you, tag you, and comment in your posts. Configure these options to prevent harassment and spam.
- Thoroughly review the permissions of linked applications. Remove access to services and apps you no longer use.
- Control the visibility of your profile in search enginesMany networks allow your profile to be hidden from Google or other search engines.
- Decide whether to share your geolocation when posting content. Disable GPS except in justified cases.
Take a few minutes to browse the 'Privacy' or 'Settings' section of each network; you'll find more features than you imagined and can customize access to your truly sensitive information.
The importance of a strong and unique password
Although it has been repeated a lot, we are not exaggerating: The password is the key to your digital lifeA short, easy-to-guess password based on personal information (dates, names, known numbers) is an invitation to hackers. Most successful attacks occur because we use weak, repetitive passwords across multiple services.
- Use at least 12 characters mixing uppercase, lowercase, numbers and symbols.
- Don't use dictionary words, obvious combinations or personal information (name, birthday, pet…)
- Create a different password for each social networkIf your password for one platform is compromised, the rest will remain safe.
- Change your passwords regularly and especially if you detect suspicious activity.
There are password managers Such as LastPass, Bitwarden, or Google Password Manager itself, which securely store all your passwords and can generate random, unguessable passwords. This way, you'll only have to remember one master password and let the manager take care of the rest.
If you want to check if your email has been hacked on any service, visit sites like Have I Been Pwned and follow their instructions.
Always enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
La two factor authentication Add a second layer of security. Even if someone gets your password, they'll need a second code sent to your phone, email, or generated by an app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator.
- Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Google and Twitter/X allow you to activate 2FA from your security options.
- Choose the most secure option: SMS, authenticator app, fingerprint, or physical key.
- Save the recovery codes in a safe place.
Two-factor authentication is the most effective way to prevent unauthorized access, even if your passwords are leaked or you are affected by a global data breach.
Protect your devices and prevent access from third-party terminals
It's not enough to simply secure your profiles. Your phone, tablet, and computer are also the gateway to your social networks:
- Don't share your devices with other people, nor allow them to access without supervision.
- Do not use public WiFi networks to access your social networks, or enter your passwords only if there's no other option. Open networks can be a target for man-in-the-middle attacks.
- Avoid logging in from third-party devices (Internet cafes, friends' computers, schools, etc.), as you could be exposing yourself to keyloggers and hidden malware.
- Install antivirus or antimalware software updated and activate the firewall.
- Always keep updated operating system and applications of your devices, applying all security patches.
Take advantage of screen lock, PIN, password, or facial recognition features and limit screen time to avoid leaving your device exposed if it's lost or stolen.
Be careful what you share and post on social media.
One of the most underestimated risks is overexposure. Sharing personal information, photos, real-time location, and details about your daily life increases your likelihood of becoming a victim of Identity Theft, harassment or social engineering attacks.
- Do not publish sensitive data such as addresses, phone numbers, routines, banking details, or travel plans while you're away from home.
- Avoid displaying credentials, documents, or event tickets with QR codes visible in images.
- Always consider who can see your information before sharing anything. You can use "close friends" lists on Instagram or specific audiences on Facebook.
Remember that even if you delete content, it may have already been saved, forwarded, or captured by other users. The Internet is forever. Be selective about what you upload.
Manage and review tags, mentions, and photos posted by others
On most platforms, you can control whether others can tag or mention you in posts and photos. Set this option to require your permission before they appear on your public profile.
- Regularly check photos and posts you've been tagged in.
- Ask your contacts not to post images or information about you without your prior permission, especially if you are a minor or if minors appear in the photo.
- If you are a victim of inappropriate content, report it and request its removal from the platform.
Avoid friend requests, messages, and links from strangers
A large percentage of attacks, scams, and phishing campaigns on social media begin with requests or messages from unknown profiles. These accounts may be created to collect data, distribute malware, or scam you:
- Only accept applications from people you know or have trusted connections to you.
- Be wary of private messages asking for personal information, offering prizes, sweepstakes, or miracle investments.
- Avoid clicking on shortened or suspicious links, even if shared by a “friend,” as your account could have been hacked.
If you receive unusual messages, disturbing information, or seemingly fake accounts that persist, use the platform's reporting and blocking features.
Keep your applications and systems always up to date
Updates usually include security enhancements to fix vulnerabilities that, if left unpatched, can be a gateway for cybercriminals to access your data.
- Activate the option Automatic Updates on your mobile and PC.
- Don't ignore notifications from official stores (Google Play, App Store) to download new versions of apps.
- Only install applications from trusted and official sources.
If you use apps to manage social media, make sure they only collect essential permissions and delete those that haven't been updated in a while.
Protect the privacy of your surroundings and educate minors
Digital safety is everyone's responsibility. Talk openly with your family and friends about the risks of social media and encourage good digital practices:
- Teach children and teens how to set privacy settings, detect dangers, and avoid talking to strangers.
- Respect the privacy of others: Never post photos, videos, or personal information about others without their consent.
- Use the parental control and family sync options offered by platforms like TikTok or Instagram.
Review the activity on your account and linked devices
The main platforms offer the possibility of check session history and the devices where your account is logged in. This way, you can detect suspicious logins and close sessions from unknown locations and devices.
- Periodically review the section “Account Activity” or “Connected devices”.
- If you detect unknown access, log out immediately, change your password, and review your security settings.
- In WhatsApp or Telegram, you can unlink the device you don't recognize directly from the app.
The danger of applications from unofficial sources and fraudulent links
Downloading apps outside of Google Play or the App Store increases the risk of installing them. malware or spyware capable of stealing your passwords, photos, or messages. Also, avoid clicking on dubious links you receive in messages, comments, or emails.
- Do not download apps or files from unknown sources.
- Before installing an extension or app, check its permissions and reputation.
- Do not enter bank details or credentials on websites or apps other than official ones.
Turn off geolocation and manage what you share about your location
More and more social and mobile networks incorporate the possibility of share location through photos, posts, or even in real time. Unless strictly necessary, disable these permissions to prevent malicious individuals from tracking your movements or address.
- Check your camera and app settings to avoid adding your GPS location to your photos and videos.
- Don't post your real-time location when your home or workplace is empty.
- Share your rides only with people you trust.
Delete old accounts and review privacy filters
Accounts you no longer use (old MySpace accounts, forums, dating apps, etc.) may contain sensitive information and are exposed if those platforms suffer a security breach.
- Close and delete old profiles or that you don't use.
- Use the privacy filters and blocking options to limit who can interact with you.
- Configure who can send you messages or see your posts on each network.
Each platform offers privacy filters that can help you keep your personal, professional, and family environments separate, minimizing risks.
Protect yourself from phishing, scams, and other frauds
Scams are constantly evolving, and criminals use social media to trick users into obtaining money, personal information, or account access. Some warning signs:
- Messages from unknown people insisting that you click on links or download files.
- Offers that are too good to be true, prizes, or random drawings that ask for your personal or banking information.
- Urgent requests to send money to a supposed friend in need.
- Tests, surveys or quizzes that collect sensitive data.
You should always be wary of messages, profiles, or pages that aren't official and avoid sharing private information with anyone.
Although no measure guarantees total protection, applying all of these measures security advice It will greatly minimize the risks associated with using social media. Digital security is a shared responsibility and requires us to adopt a proactive and conscious approach at all times.
Always remember:
- Keep your passwords and data safe. Don't share them, even with trusted people, unless absolutely necessary.
- Avoid installing extensions, plug-ins, or tools from dubious sources.
- Treat each social network as if it were a safe: breaches can occur even in large companies, so the higher your level of protection, the less likely you are to suffer identity theft or hacking.
- If the platform offers you personalized advice about your security weaknesses, follow them and review them periodically.
