Tag: passwords

Pop quiz: What percentage of American adults use social media? Think about it and I’ll tell you the answer below.

From Facebook to Twitter to Instagram and all the sites in between, we’re voluntarily giving out more information online than ever. Tap or click to get a closer look at exactly what Google knows about you and the steps to erase it.

That info translates to big money. The data sold by tech giants like Facebook gives advertisers a shockingly clearer picture of who you are and what you’ll buy. Tap or click here to see how Facebook uses your location and how you can shut that down.

Oversharing doesn’t just fuel ads that follow you around the internet. Hackers, creeps and trolls can easily use the content you’ve posted against you. Keep reading to see if you’re making mistakes you’ll regret later.

1. You skip the privacy and security basics

First things first, Pew Research says about 70% of American adults use social media. In younger demographics, it’s as high as 90%. I wonder what percentage of users neglect the security basics that protect our accounts?

That includes, of course, your passwords. Some passwords are so easy to remember, hackers can guess them too. Or you may be in the bad habit of using the same password across multiple websites.

Why is this such a dangerous shortcut? If a hacker gets ahold of your username and password on one site, you can bet they’ll try the same combination on other sites. To protect yourself, you need stronger passwords — and several of them.

I know, it’s a pain. Use these smart rules to make the process a little easier.

Once your passwords are in order, enable two-factor authentication wherever you can. It adds a step to the login process, but it may be the difference between a cybercriminal breaking into your account. Tap or click here to see how to set up 2FA for your favorite social media sites.

2. You don’t care who sees what

Most social media profiles are public by default. If you leave yours that way, anyone looking you up can see everything you’ve posted, including your photos, interests and location.

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