Profile management is the process of controlling the information you share about yourself online, while security refers to protecting that information from unauthorized access. The following guide offers best practices to help you take control of your digital identity.
Profile management
- Be mindful of what you share. Every piece of personal information you post, from your hometown to your full birthday, can be used by cybercriminals to build a profile for potential hacking and identity theft.
- Use separate accounts. Consider having separate accounts for personal and professional use. This limits the overlap of your data and prevents a breach in one area from affecting the other.
- Customize privacy settings. On social media platforms and other services, review and adjust your privacy settings to control who can view your profile, posts, and information. Limit access to people you know and trust.
- Be selective with connections. Do not accept connection or friend requests from strangers. Fake accounts are often used to gather information for scams.
- Enable tag review. Use the feature on platforms like Facebook that lets you approve or reject posts you are tagged in before they become public.
- Regularly review your online presence. Occasionally search your name online to see what information about you is publicly visible. If you find sensitive data, take steps to have it removed.
Security tips
- Create strong, unique passwords. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols for each account. Avoid using personal information like your birthday or pet's name. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long.
- Use a password manager. These tools help you generate, store, and manage strong, unique passwords for every account, eliminating the need to remember them all.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA, which requires a second form of verification (like a code sent to your phone), is one of the most effective ways to protect your accounts.
- Be cautious on public Wi-Fi. Avoid accessing sensitive accounts, such as your bank or email, when using public Wi-Fi networks. These networks are often unsecured and can be vulnerable to hackers. Instead, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
- Beware of phishing scams. Do not click on suspicious links or download unexpected attachments from emails or messages, even if they appear to be from a known contact. If you are unsure, visit the official website directly.
- Keep your software updated. Regularly update your devices, apps, and browsers. These updates often contain critical security patches that protect against new vulnerabilities.
- Check app permissions. Review the permissions you grant to mobile apps. Revoke access to features like your camera, microphone, or location if they aren't necessary for the app to function.
- Delete unused accounts. Every old account is a potential vulnerability. Deleting old profiles from services you no longer use reduces your digital footprint and the risk of a breach.