Social Media Security Checklist

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Social Media is a huge part of personal life and business life these days and can be a great way to keep in touch with family, and friends and know the latest news. But Social Media Security has to be at the forefront of our minds.

In an era where our personal and professional lives are intertwined with social media, safeguarding these platforms is paramount. Cyber threats are evolving, with attackers employing sophisticated methods to exploit vulnerabilities. Implementing robust security practices is not just advisable—it’s essential.

Keep your personal data safe while using social media platforms.

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Your social media accounts can give away vital clues about you, so use these tips and tactics to help protect your social media personal security.

If you use social media for your business, consider scheduling regular social media security audits to ensure nothing is overlooked. Also, have a social media policy so that all employees understand what is acceptable and what is not.

Keep your personal data safe while using social media

Account Security – Change Passwords Frequently

Always use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols to make it harder to break.

Good, secure passwords shouldn’t be easy to remember.

Never use the same password for multiple websites because they will all become compromised.

Account Security – Use Two-factor authentication 2FA

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). This is ‘double-checking’ that you are who you say you are by texting a code to your phone that you need to enter before you can log in.

Account Security – Set Up Security Answers

You can set up security questions on your accounts, using questions that are hard to find out about you, with answers that are not easily guessable.

Privacy Settings – Manage Privacy Settings

These settings allow you to make sure you are only sharing with friends and family. These settings can change with updates, so it’s a good idea to check them regularly.

Privacy Settings – Turn Off GPS

Be cautious about sharing location data. Turn off your GPS to keep your exact location private. If you plan to share images online, turn off the GPS function to protect your safety.

Privacy Settings – Personal Information

Limit the visibility of personal information. Careful who you reveal personal information to. Always be suspicious of anyone who asks for your personal information on any social media platform.

Device and App Security – Don’t Enable Auto Login

If someone gets access to your phone or computer, make sure they can’t automatically access your social sites. Make sure your computer’s browser “remembers” your login and password isn’t set.

Device and App Security – Use reputable antivirus and anti-malware software.

Never go online without installing anti-malware and antivirus software to protect your online activity and essential data.

Keep Antivirus Updated

Device and App Security – Third-Party Apps

Be cautious with third-party app authorisations.

Every time you log in to another site using the option of using a social media login you are granting authorisation to your account.

They tell you what data this app will have access to before you agree, but if you stop using that site, remember to revoke authorisation.

Device and App Security – Keep Browser Updated

Make sure you have the latest version of your browser, which is not vulnerable to attacks and hackers.

Avoid saving passwords in browsers. Don’t save passwords in your browser, because if your system gets compromised, your passwords can be easily accessed.

Social Interactions – Selective Accepting Friends

Are they really who they say they are? Do you know that their profile is real and not fake? The safest option is only to accept “friend” requests from people you know in real life.

Social Interactions – Beware Clicking on Links

Even if sent from your friends, think twice. Hackers love social platforms because you are more likely to click on something from your friends.

Social Interactions – Block Fake Accounts

Sadly, social media is full of fake profiles. These can be used for several reasons, from hacking to monitoring your activities.

Report and block suspicious accounts.

Account Maintenance – Close Old Accounts

Old social media accounts you haven’t used in years can risk your data security. Delete the account and remove as much personal information as possible.

Account Maintenance – Suspicious Login Attempts

Social media platforms email you if they feel a login is suspicious. Maybe because it comes from a different IP address, a different browser or your account is sending spamming posts.

Keep checking your emails regularly. If you get a suspicious login attempt to your account, change your password as soon as possible.

Account Maintenance – Audit

Regularly audit connected apps and services.

Regularly review third-party app permissions: Ensure that only necessary apps have access to your social media accounts, and revoke permissions for those no longer in use.

AI Scams

Be cautious of AI-generated scams. With advancements in AI, scammers can create convincing fake profiles or messages. Always verify the authenticity of communications.

Establish a “safe word” with close contacts: To counteract voice cloning scams, agree on a code word with family and friends to confirm identities during unexpected communications.

Use a VPN

Virtual Private Network is an encryption tool. If you want to keep your conversations, messages, and calls secure this is the best solution.

Internet is Permanent

Always consider that anything you post stays there forever. Even if you delete your account, someone may already print/copy your content.

Auto Share Options

There are options to share posts from one platform to another automatically. Do you want everything shared everywhere?

Password Manager

Your passwords are valuable, so treat them that way.

There are a number of password manager software available that help you store and organise passwords. This enables you to log in with just one main password that then allows you to access all your accounts.

Generate a strong random passwords to make accounts safer.

What to Do If Your Social Media Account Is Hacked

Even with strong security habits, no one is 100% immune to hacks. If your social media account has been compromised, acting quickly can help limit the damage and recover control.

What to Do If Your Social Media Account Is Hacked

Step-by-Step Recovery Guide

Change Your Password Immediately

If you still have access to the account, change your password right away. Choose a strong, unique password you’ve never used before.

Revoke Suspicious App Access

Go into your account’s settings and check what third-party apps are connected. Revoke access to anything you don’t recognise or no longer use.

Turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

If it wasn’t enabled before, now’s the time. 2FA adds a critical extra layer of security—usually a code sent to your phone or an authenticator app.

Let Your Contacts Know

Warn your friends, family, or followers not to click on suspicious messages or links sent from your account. Hackers often use hijacked accounts to spread scams.

Report the Breach to the Platform

Each social media platform has a process to report hacked accounts and recover access.

Facebook: Hacked Account Help

Instagram: Recover Your Account

Twitter/X: Compromised Account Support

LinkedIn: Reset and Secure Account

TikTok: Report a Problem

Snapchat: I Think My Account Was Hacked

Check Your Email Too

If the hacker changed your login email, reset your email password and review any suspicious access or forwarding rules there as well.

Do a Security Audit

Once your account is secure, take time to:

Review login activity

Remove old devices

Check privacy settings

Update other accounts that used the same password (if any)

Common Social Media Security Threats

Phishing scams: Links disguised as login pages to steal credentials.
Social engineering: Hackers manipulate people emotionally (e.g. fake emergencies).
Session hijacking: Attackers gain access if you stay logged in on shared devices.
Credential stuffing: Using passwords leaked from other sites to access your account.
Fake contests or giveaways: Used to harvest personal info or followers.
Malicious browser extensions: Some can scrape your session data.

Tip: Always double-check URLs, avoid clicking links in DMs, and use strong, unique passwords for every platform.

AI and Social Media Security: Friend or Foe?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the world of cybersecurity—and social media is no exception. While AI is a powerful ally in detecting threats and protecting your accounts, it’s also being weaponised by cybercriminals to launch more sophisticated and convincing attacks.

Here’s how AI is impacting your social media safety:

AI Helping Keep You Safe

Smart login monitoring
AI-powered systems now detect unusual login behaviour, such as logging in from a new location or device, and can automatically lock accounts or send alerts.
Fake profile detection
Social media platforms are using AI to identify and remove bot accounts, deepfake profiles, and suspicious behaviour before it spreads.
Content moderation and spam detection
AI helps flag inappropriate or malicious content—phishing links, scams, or impersonations—before it reaches your feed.
Behavior-based security alerts
Machine learning algorithms can learn your usual patterns and flag anomalies (like sudden mass messaging or account setting changes).

How AI Is Also Used by Hackers

Deepfakes and voice cloning
AI can create hyper-realistic fake videos or clone voices. Hackers might impersonate someone you trust and trick you into sharing sensitive info or sending money.
AI-generated phishing attacks
Cybercriminals use AI tools to craft personalised scam messages that are grammatically correct, emotionally manipulative, and incredibly convincing.
Automated bots and fake engagement
Bots can pose as real users to harvest data, influence public opinion, or spread malware via links and DMs.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

Be skeptical of unexpected messages, even from people you know—especially if they ask for money, links, or login details.
Verify unusual requests using another method (e.g., call them or use a safe word).
Stay informed about AI-related threats—especially new scams, trends, and tools hackers may be using.
Use platforms that implement AI-based security and offer strong two-factor authentication.

AI is evolving fast, and so are the risks—but with awareness, proactive habits, and the right settings, you can stay one step ahead.