Mastering Social Media Privacy in 2024: Essential Tips to Protect Your Data

According to research by Global WebIndex, with over half the world’s population spending more than 2 hours daily on social media, the question of data privacy has never been more critical.

Every post, like, or geotag can expose personal information, making users vulnerable to data breaches, identity theft, and phishing attacks. But how can you enjoy the benefits of social media without compromising your privacy?

In this post, we’ll explore the hidden risks of social media platforms, the common privacy issues users face, and how to safeguard your personal information in 2024. Whether you're a security professional or a casual user, these strategies can help you stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.

The growing threat to social media privacy

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn collect a massive amount of personal data—from your location to your shopping habits and even your political views. In return, they promise a “personalized experience” by showing you ads tailored to your interests.

But the real issue isn’t just about data collection. It’s about how this data is used and who can access it.

Take the infamous Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018, where the personal data of 50 million Facebook users was harvested and used without consent to influence the U.S. presidential election.

Or consider LinkedIn’s experiment, where they altered user connections without informing them, potentially affecting millions of users’ job prospects. Incidents like these highlight the ethical concerns around social media data use and the ongoing risk of breaches.

Social media platforms are also prime targets for cyberattacks. For example, in 2022, hackers exploited a zero-day vulnerability on Twitter, leaking the personal data of over 5 million users onto the dark web. These platforms may promise strong security, but their size and complexity make them vulnerable to frequent attacks.

Why social media data privacy is more important than ever

As social media platforms continue to dominate our digital lives, they also become prime targets for cybercriminals. Here’s why safeguarding your data is important:

1. Fraud and financial scams: Cybercriminals can use your personal information to carry out scams, open fraudulent accounts, or steal your identity.
2. Phishing attacks: Social media is a frequent target for phishing attacks. Hackers can craft personalized messages to trick you into revealing more information or downloading malware.
3. Career impacts: Employers increasingly check social media profiles during recruitment. An innocent post can easily be taken out of context, harming your professional image.
4. Doxxing and harassment: Cyberbullies can publish your private details, like your home address or phone number, online to encourage further harassment.

With so much personal data at risk, understanding the types of data that social media platforms collect and how they might be misused is essential to maintaining control over your privacy.

4 common social media privacy issues

Even though social media platforms promise to protect your data, they can still expose you to privacy risks. Complex settings, data-sharing practices, and new cyber threats make it hard to stay safe. Here are four key privacy issues you should watch for and take steps to manage.

Account takeovers due to weak security

One of the easiest ways for hackers to gain access to your account is through weak passwords. Many users still rely on simple passwords that are easy to guess—like a favorite pet’s name or a birthday. This is especially dangerous when users post information on their profiles that can help criminals figure out those passwords.

Using a password manager to create strong, unique passwords for every social media account is your best defense against account takeovers. Also, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.

For organizations, strong password protocols are critical. Implementing a password protection intelligence system can help mitigate this risk by enforcing strong password policies and detecting suspicious login attempts.

Phishing scams on social media

Social media platforms have become fertile ground for phishing attacks. Scammers can send you direct messages (DMs) posing as friends or companies, trying to trick you into clicking on malicious links or revealing sensitive information. On professional platforms like LinkedIn, they may even pose as potential employers offering job opportunities.

Check out Keepnet's real-life story about a fake job offer scam on LinkedIn.

Always be cautious of unsolicited messages or offers that seem too good to be true. If you’re unsure whether a link is legitimate, it’s better not to click it.

Learning to spot phishing attempts is key to protecting your personal data and preventing identity theft. To better understand how phishing works, explore the latest phishing statistics and attack vectors.

Misleading privacy settings

Many users believe they’re in control of their personal information, but social media privacy settings can be confusing and often misleading. You might think you’ve restricted a post to a small group, but the complex layers of settings may expose it to a wider audience than intended.

To mitigate this, it’s essential to regularly review your privacy settings and understand how they work. Keep an eye on platform updates that can alter these settings without your knowledge. Meta’s frequent updates, for example, may cause older posts to resurface or become visible to a broader audience.

Doxxing and online harassment

The anonymity of the internet makes it easier for bad actors to harass or intimidate others. One common tactic is doxxing—when someone publicly shares private information, like your home address or phone number, without your consent. This can lead to severe harassment both online and offline, making you vulnerable to threats, stalking, or even physical harm.

To protect yourself, limit the personal information you share online. Avoid posting your full name, address, or any other identifying details in public forums or profiles. If you become a victim of doxxing, report the incident immediately to both the platform and local authorities to ensure your safety.

How to protect your personal data on social media

To keep your personal data safe on social media, it’s important to stay proactive and mindful of what you share. Follow these key steps to protect your information:

• Check privacy policies: Always review how platforms use and share your data before signing up.
• Use strong, unique passwords: Avoid common passwords. Use a password manager and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added protection.
• Update privacy settings regularly: Platforms change settings often. Ensure your profile and posts are only visible to trusted contacts.
• Be cautious with what you share: Avoid sharing real-time location updates or sensitive personal information that could be exploited.
• Watch out for phishing: Stay alert for suspicious messages and links. Always verify before sharing data.

These steps will help keep your personal information secure while using social media.

Stay in control of your social media privacy with Keepnet

Managing social media privacy can be tricky, but you can protect your data by using strong passwords, adjusting privacy settings, and being cautious about what you share.

Boost your security awareness by 90% with Keepnet’s advanced cybersecurity tools.

Keepnet offers:

• Phishing Simulator: Train employees to spot phishing attacks with realistic simulations. Learn more about our Phishing Simulator.
• Awareness Educator: Provide tailored cybersecurity training to keep your team updated on emerging threats. Explore our Awareness Educator.
• Incident Responder: Quickly manage and mitigate email-based attacks. Discover how our Incident Responder can help your team.
• Threat Intelligence: Stay ahead of cyber threats with actionable insights. Leverage our Threat Intelligence tools for real-time threat analysis.

These tools empower your team to defend against cyber threats. Schedule a free demo today and secure your organization with Keepnet.