Online security is usually one of those things we all take for granted until the day comes that our accounts have been hacked and used to spam our unsuspecting friends. It doesn’t stop there. Passwords are changed, and your friends contact information is taken in an effort to spread the mayhem.
Other than signing in with a secure password made up of undercase, caps, numbers and symbols, here are some extra precautions that you can use in some of the top social networks to further your security when you access your social networks that you might not be aware of.
Twitter – Login Verification
Under your account settings –> Security and Privacy, you have the option to have Twitter send you an SMS text to your phone that contains a six-digit code that you enter into their verification field. The text arrives within 20 seconds, often immediately. This is a great feature for me because I always have my phone on or near me.
You can also ask Twitter to send a one-tap request to your Twitter app on your phone (which is a free app).
Further security – Below this area is a spot to check off that will require you to submit personal information in order to reset your password. Every little bit helps.
Facebook – Login Approvals
Just like the Twitter notification by text option, you can set it up so that you are sent a six-digit code to your phone. To set this feature up, just click on the gear symbol in the upper right corner, then click on Settings –> Security –> and ‘Edit’ under Login Approvals. As a further precaution, I advise that you double check each ‘Edit’ button available under Security to get the most out of protecting yourself.
LinkedIn – Two-step Verification
This also works pretty much like the Twitter login verification SMS text described above. Let’s save me the time in explaining how to access it when it is already available in the LinkedIn Help Centre. Again, if you always have your phone with you, this is a nice option.
Google+ – 2-step Verification
Same as the Twitter Text feature. Just follow the link for Google+ 2-step verification process. This also gave me a verification text when I tried to sign in to my Gmail on my phone after I set it up.
Pinterest – No additional precautions
It is my hope that Pinterest develops an additional layer of security in the future, but right now their ‘security’ pages read pretty much like ‘pick a secure password, watch where you log in, and keep your anti-virus software up to date’.
Don’t take for granted that you are completely secure if you use these methods as hacking can still happen, but this is a really good layer of security to have. Make sure you check your accounts daily, and don’t rely on automation for posting to your social networks, then never show up to be a part of the conversation.
Be there personally as well. That’s the ‘social’ part of the network.
Sheri publishes, and writes at This Bird’s Day where she shares all of the thoughts in her head without the voices. Sticking mainly with content for Canadians, Sheri shares family stories, product information and anything that fits into her (and her family’s) daily activities.
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Sheri, great reminder for us to always keep in check… great tips, too! Thank you for sharing this important info with all of us at the Show Stopper link party this week!
I didn’t know that about the Twitter verification-thanks for telling me!
If you have a minute to spare I’d be thrilled if you could link up your post to my weekly Say G’Day Saturday party. It has just started and this would be a great addition.
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
I have been working on better securing my accounts and this is a great reminder! Thank you!!!
This is good information to have. I think I’ve done all off this, but I will be sure to check each one. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome Jodee. It comes in handy. A couple of days ago, I was on a Starbuck’s wifi and I got a code on my phone to log in. I wasn’t accessing my account then so either my husband tried to log in at home thinking it was his account, or someone was trying to gain access through the open wifi. Either way, no one got in.