Nowadays, it’s important to stay safe online. This goes for everyone, celebrities, and non-celebrities. The recent robbery of Kim Kardashian, one of Hollywood’s most followed celebrities, is a testament to this.

Have you ever come across an article online that says how much our online devices and accounts have a lot information about us. Yes, those are true. Our passwords, credit card information, our browser history, and even our photos are in grave danger because someone can easily access it through coding. This technology we love so much is not that safe after all. More so in social media, especially if your account is on public and when you”pin” your location for everyone to see. That’s just a disaster about to happen if a criminal sees where you are, how you look like, who you’re with (or if you’re alone).

How To Stay Safe Online When You’re A Social Media User

The world can be quite dangerous sometimes, eyes are everywhere and almost everything posted online is up for everyone to see. This is why it’s always important to prioritize security over number of likes. No amount of likes or follows should ever take the place of your safety, ladies.

Have a look at some of my top tips to staying safe online:

1. Be wary of the links you receive

A couple of years ago, computer viruses were usually sent via spam emails. You’d get an email from someone you didn’t know, click on the email to open it, and before you know it, your computer would have been infected with malware. Now, viruses have penetrated social media as well. I’ve seen numerous cases of friends suddenly sending “click bait” links via social media personal messages, without them even knowing it.

Before you click on the link your friend has supposedly just sent, it’s best to ask yourself the following questions. Are you close with this friend of yours? Is the language used something s/he would usually say or does it sound generic? Are you uncomfortable opening the link? Take a moment to really think about these questions before clicking. It might save you and your computer from an accidental virus.

2. Don’t share personal information

Never tell anyone your passwords and credit card details. These should be considered sacred and only be known to you. If you start getting emails notifying you that someone has been trying to access your accounts, make sure to change your password as soon as possible.

3. Assume that everything you post is permanent

Yes, Snaps only stay for 24 hours, but screenshots can last forever. That includes status messages, photos, and videos. Make sure that whatever you post is something you wouldn’t be embarrassed of.

It’s also important to make sure that your social media accounts don’t flaunt your lifestyle too much. It’s okay to be proud of a purchase you’ve saved your hard earned money for, but constantly posting about your purchases might catch the eye of potential thieves.

4. Delete cookies and browsing history

If you’re using a shared computer, be sure to delete your cookies and browsing history to stay safe online. Doing so prevents other people from seeing your past activity as well as using the saved passwords and accounts you’ve used before. It’ll only take an extra 3 steps, and it’ll keep you protected from hackers.

5. Have strong passwords

Some websites won’t let you proceed if you haven’t used a password they consider “strong” enough. These are the websites that tell you to use upper and lower case letters, a variety of numbers, and even special characters for your security.

I know, it can be a tad annoying. But think of it as an added layer of security for you. As easy as it is to just key in “123456” as your password, doing so wouldn’t really protect you in any way at all. It’s best to go with a password that only you would know. So kick birthdays and “qwerty” out of your possible password options list.

6. Set your account to private

If you can, it’s also best to limit the number of people that can connect to you via social media. Doing this ensures that you’re selective with your friends list — making sure that your online friends are only people you know in person.

If you choose to set your account to public, do make sure that you take out the location tag on your photos if you’re alone in the area. You also have the option of not posting where you are until after the event or when you’re finally joined by a friend.

7. Google yourself

So you can see how social media famous you are!

I’m kidding!

But really though, it’s good to Google yourself so that you can see the details about you that are open to the public. These are things that everyone is capable of seeing — that includes bosses, colleagues, and even your family.

By the way, this part is especially important for when you’re trying to get ahead for a job. Most HR personnel do this as a non-negotiable to all potential employees of the company. The cleaner your track record, the better your chance of getting in.

Want to learn more? Here’s a video from IBM Social Media about how you can stay safe online.

And that rounds up my top tips for you, social media savvy ladies! Remember that nothing is more important than your security and that at times there are just some things that shouldn’t be uploaded. Also, think twice about checking in too often! Social media may be a wonderful place to get lost in, but you should also bear in mind that it’s necessary to take the right precautionary measures to stay safe online.

Really hoping you take my advice, ladies! Share your additional tips to me if you have any. I love reading all about them in the comments section!

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