The world of social media is not all fun and games. Amidst the cat videos and family photos, there exists a shadowy side filled with fraudsters and scammers who hide behind familiar faces. Jackson, a resident of California, experienced this firsthand and shared his unsettling story. “A few months ago, I received a text from someone who I believed to be an old high school friend that I hadn’t spoken to in years. They asked if I had a Costco membership, to which I replied ‘Yes.’ They then requested that I buy a $200 cash gift certificate and send it to their sister who was in urgent need of funds. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was a scam! I still wonder how the scammer knew the name of my high school friend.” Luckily, Rich quickly recognized the scam, but not without feeling a violation of his privacy. The fact that the scammer had access to personal details about his friend remains a mystery, highlighting the bold tactics these criminals employ. It is likely that these scammers scour social media and personal information to exploit victims to the fullest extent. So, how can you protect yourself from such nefarious activities?
Fortify your digital defenses is the first step. Making your social media accounts private can significantly limit the amount of personal information accessible to the public, reducing the chances of becoming a target. To make your Facebook private, you can adjust the privacy settings to four different levels. Public visibility allows anyone with a shared link to view the content, while friends visibility restricts access to only individuals on your friend’s list. You can customize this further by excluding specific friends from seeing the post. Friends of friends visibility allows individuals who share a mutual friend to view the content. Only me visibility ensures that only you can see the content. To make your Facebook account as private as possible, it is recommended to choose “Only me” whenever possible.
To access Facebook’s Privacy menu, log into your Facebook account and click on your profile picture in the top-right corner. From the drop-down menu, select “Settings & Privacy” and then “Settings.” On the Settings page, click on “Privacy” in the left sidebar. This will take you to the Privacy Settings and Tools page, where you can find various options to enhance your privacy.
Another way to protect your Facebook account is by making your posts private. In the “Your Activity” section, you can change who is allowed to see your future posts, posts you’ve been tagged in, and the pages you follow. You can also review all your posts and things you’ve been tagged in or limit the audience for posts you’ve shared with friends of friends or the public.
Hiding your Facebook profile can also prevent people from finding you. By using the “How People Find and Contact You” tools, you can limit the number of people allowed to send you friend requests. You can also hide your friends list and control who can look you up using your email address or phone number. Additionally, you can choose whether search engines outside of Facebook can link to your profile.
Two-factor authentication is another important security measure. It adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts, even if someone manages to guess or steal your password. To set up two-factor authentication on Facebook, log into your account and navigate to the Settings page. Click on “Password Security” and scroll down to “Use two-factor authentication.” Choose an account and enter your passcode. Facebook offers options such as an authentication app or text message for two-factor authentication.
Similarly, on Instagram, you can make your account private to restrict access to only approved individuals. To do this, open the Instagram app and go to your profile. Tap the three-line menu icon in the top right corner, then select “Settings and Privacy.” Choose “Account Privacy” and switch on the “Private Account” option.
To set up two-factor authentication on Instagram, follow similar steps as Facebook. Open the Instagram app, go to your profile, select “Settings and Privacy,” and tap on “Account Center.” From there, choose “Password and Security” and enable two-factor authentication using your preferred method.
While securing your Facebook and Instagram accounts is crucial, you must also be aware of additional steps to protect yourself from social media scammers. Use strong passwords and consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords for your social media accounts. Evaluate the source of any links before clicking on them, especially if they come from unknown websites or news sources. Be cautious of anyone asking for money, even if they claim to be someone you know.
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