Without question, social media now plays a significant role in B2B marketing campaigns. No other channel goes as far as it does in building a community around your brand and genuine relationships with your customers.
But if a company can’t help it’s stakeholders to prevent hacking on social media, it can’t benefit from social media. Businesses on social media platforms face an increasing threat from scammers, impersonators, and hackers who can cause havoc.
This guide will cover the most frequent social media security concerns and advise keeping your accounts safe from hackers. It will assist you in preventing possible attacks and providing reliable B2B services to your clients.
8 Greatest Ways to Prevent Hacking On Social Media
The best practices below can help business owners keep their social media handles safe from hackers.
1. Protect your login credentials
The most accessible passwords to change are those that are weak, which makes them the most significant security risk. Even though eight lowercase letters can be combined to create 209 billion different password combinations, a password like that can be quickly cracked.
As a result, you need to assign your social media accounts strong passwords. Here is a list of methods to help you create a password that will be very difficult to figure out.
- It needs to have a minimum of 12 characters.
- It cannot relate to your business, including name, address, zip code, or anything else.
- It should be composed of random arrangements of symbols, numbers, letters, and lower- and uppercase punctuation.
An excellent example of a password is 9%gfzY$2grT
In addition to developing a strong password, you should be careful not to use the same password across several accounts. Moreover, develop the practice of changing your passwords every three months for better security.
But such complicated yet highly secure passwords tend to be forgotten all the time. And this leads us to our very next solution, which is:
2. Prevent hacking on social media using a Password Manager
As we previously established, using unique passwords is the best defense against hackers for your social media accounts.
This does not, however, eliminate the chance of forgetting essential usernames and passcodes. You must find a way around this problem without jeopardizing your security, so you require a password manager.
Password managers are software programs that, as their name implies, manage passwords or store your login information in an encrypted database. With the help of these programs, you can generate an unlimited number of distinct passwords without mixing them up.
Many password managers like Bitwarden or 1Password are available, but you should have a simple yet secure one.
3. Allow Two-Factor Authentication for Every Account You Have
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is among the most effective strategies for protecting accounts and applications from hackers. Most platforms keep recommending this feature to users who don’t activate it.
Users can access their account with three factors (2FA): inherence, possession, and knowledge. Put simply, two-factor authentication will require additional verification, such as a fingerprint scan or one-time passcode, for added security instead of relying solely on your password.
The method for turning on this feature differs depending on the platform. Still, most venues have it listed under Security or Privacy settings. To enable 2FA on your Google and Apple accounts, go to Google Support or Apple Support.
4. Refrain from logging into your accounts on public or unsecured devices
While it might be convenient to quickly log into Twitter or Snapchat on a different device, ensure the device is reliable before entering personal information. No matter what security precautions you take on your device, any hacker can easily access your social media account if the device isn’t trusted.
It’s sometimes impossible to avoid using other devices. Make sure you properly log out in such cases. This will protect you from hackers, enable you to monitor the devices you access, and most importantly, prevent hacking on social media.
Read also: Top 16 Social Media KPIs to Track for Effective Digital Presence
5. Don’t click on suspicious Links and Ads
We all see those obnoxious links and advertisements on our social media walls. These links can sometimes pique anyone’s interest with their attention-grabbing articles and advertisements. But stay away from clicking on dubious links to unreliable websites, as they can instantly leave your account vulnerable to hackers.
Links that appear safe can occasionally be scams, malware, and hidden viruses. Users’ data and private information are stolen by malicious software, particularly if you attempt to log in to a dubious website or page.
It is possible for someone to accidentally click, so make sure to turn on spam blockers whenever you can. Finally, for the highest level of security, if you really must click that dubious link, pass it through a link safety-checking website.
Read also: Affiliate Marketing Scams: A Survival Guide
6. Turn On Notifications for Logins Throughout All Accounts
Wouldn’t it be nice to know where and by whom people always log into your social media accounts? One of the simplest ways to look into questionable activity on your social media pages is through login notifications.
Once enabled, you immediately receive an alert each time there is a questionable attempt to log into your account. In this manner, you are aware of foul play and can promptly adjust your login information.
This feature, like 2FA, is available in your Google account’s privacy settings and those of most social media platforms. Turning it on allows you to gain first-hand experience with logins on any platform. Facebook, for instance, keeps track of sign-in attempts, device usage, location, and time.
7. Be Cautious With 3rd Party Apps.
You shouldn’t grant unknown third-party apps access to your social media accounts, just as you wouldn’t let a stranger inside your home. Popular apps created by other developers, like social media post schedulers for businesses, may fall under this category.
You make yourself vulnerable to them abusing your trust when you grant them access to your account, mainly if a hacker or other cybercriminal created the app.
The fact that hackers and thieves are focusing on social media accounts is not surprising, given the abundance of private information that is available online. Websites are also targeted in addition to social media accounts.
Thus, take preventative measures to safeguard your data against online phishing scams.
8. Invest in Trusted Antivirus Software
Installing a reliable antivirus program provides your device with sufficient internet security, which helps shield your social media accounts from cyberattacks. Generally, an antivirus program protects you from malicious links and phishing scams by automatically identifying and eliminating harmful code.
This does not imply that you should click on dubious links at will; you should always proceed cautiously. You have many options when selecting antivirus software for your device, depending on your needs and preferences.
Read also: WordPress Security Threats and Vulnerabilities You Should Know About
Conclusion: Prevent Hacking On Social Media
Hackers who attempt to breach your social media account or imitate your brand to carry out fraudulent operations risk losing money, damaging your reputation, and stealing customer data.
Because of this, it’s critical to understand the strategies employed by cybercriminals to breach systems and safeguard your business’s social media accounts. Managing your passwords and using a social media management platform that puts security first are the best ways to ensure the safety of your social media accounts.
Look for a social tool designed explicitly with B2B social marketing in mind when selecting your next one, as not all social media management platforms emphasize security and compliance.
I hope you found this guide on how to prevent hacking on social media helpful. Feel free to comment below and share any doubts, thoughts, or ideas.
FAQs: Prevent Hacking On Social Media
How can I identify phishing attempts on social media?
Be cautious of unsolicited messages, especially those that request sensitive information. Verify the legitimacy of links before clicking, and check the sender’s details. Legitimate platforms rarely ask for login details via email or direct message.
Are there privacy settings that can help prevent hacking on social media?
Absolutely. You should frequently review and adjust your privacy settings on social media platforms. Limit the visibility of personal information, restrict who can see your posts, and carefully manage app permissions connected to your account.
Can using a virtual private network (VPN) enhance social media security?
Yes, using a VPN adds an extra layer of security by encrypting your internet connection. This helps protect your data from potential eavesdroppers, especially when using public Wi-Fi, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
What should I do if I suspect my social media account has been hacked?
If you suspect hacking, immediately change your password, enable 2FA, and review recent account activity. Report any unauthorized access to the social media platform and follow their instructions for account recovery.
How often should I update my social media passwords?
You should update your passwords, ideally every four to six months. Use a combo of letters, symbols, and numbers. This proactive measure helps prevent unauthorized access and ensures the health of your social media accounts.
