Guide to Social Media and Technology Security
As technology becomes fundamental to daily life and communication, we must prioritize safety whenever using social media and communication platforms. Cybersecurity threats can impact anyone, from scholars sharing their work to the general user. This guide aims to equip community members with essential steps to ensure digital safety, especially on social media and apps like WhatsApp.
Disabling Accounts
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to shut down your accounts for security reasons quickly, here are the steps for major platforms:
- Facebook: Settings > Security and Login > Deactivate your account.
- Twitter: Settings and Privacy > Account > Deactivate your account.
- Instagram: Settings > Privacy and Security > Request account deletion.
- WhatsApp: Settings > Account > Delete my account.
Checking and Modifying Account Settings
Turning off Location and Personal Info:
- Facebook: Settings > Privacy > Manage your location settings. Also, review your 'About' section.
- Twitter: Settings and Privacy > Privacy and safety > Location information.
- Instagram: Settings > Privacy > Location.
- WhatsApp: WhatsApp only shares your live location if you decide to. Ensure you only share if necessary.
Who Can See and Share Your Posts:
- Facebook: Go to each post and check the visibility icon (public, friends, only me).
- Twitter: Settings and Privacy > Privacy and safety > Protect your Tweets.
- Instagram: Settings > Privacy > Account Privacy > Private Account.
- WhatsApp: Settings > Account > Privacy > Last Seen, Profile Photo, About, Groups, and Status.
A Word on WhatsApp Security Concerns
Though WhatsApp has asserted that fears regarding cyberattacks via its app are unfounded, it's always wise to be cautious.
- Control Your Groups: Regularly review group participants. Consider creating a new group with known participants if suspicious activity is detected.
- Two-Step Verification: Settings > Account > Two-step verification. This adds an extra layer of protection.
- End-to-end Encryption: Ensure chats have the encryption notification. This means only you and the recipient can read the message.
Regularly revisiting and updating your account settings is crucial in this digital age. With rising cybersecurity threats, it's essential to be proactive in safeguarding your data and privacy. Always stay informed, and remember to share this information within your community to foster collective security awareness.