Does Social Media Pose a Risk?
Oct 14, 2016
If you follow the news, you may have seen the recent multi million pound robbery of mega star Kim Kardashian. Many people are blaming the attack on the fact that she posted images on Snapchat and Instagram of her jewellery not long before it happened, but can this really be the cause? And if this is the case, should we start to filter what we are posting on social media for safety reasons?
Social media use has become very important to businesses recently, with sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter peaking the charts. And why not, there are lots of benefits to it, least of all that it’s free! But could using it actually increase your risk of a break in or open you up to other crimes?
We decided it was time to ask the question: does posting on social media pose a risk to your company? Here are some of our top tips for staying safe when using social media…
Think before you post
Although posting on social media may have become second nature to you, and you think you have no problems when it comes to being safe, make double sure before posting something that it is 100% secure.
If you post any information that could be used harmfully in the wrong hands, it could cost you more than a few likes. As well as posts, there is also the issue of messaging directly; many employees get into the habit of engaging in conversation with individuals online which is perfectly fine, as long as no confidential information is shared.
As well as this, there is also the risk of inappropriate information being posted online. If you post information about projects you are working on you can open the door to intellectual property theft from competitors. So be sure to check all posts before you send them out there!
Filter your followers
As with any sites, it’s important to know what sort of people are following and connecting with your page. By filtering or having a private account where others have to request permission to follow you, you can be sure to check those in your network.
If you ever become worried about a certain group or individual that is following you page and feel they are unsafe, be sure to report them or block them from your pages. It’s better not to take any risks when it comes to dealing with online threats.
Don’t post any need to know details
A big part of social media is posting frequently detailing what you are doing or where you might be, however, this could lead to a more physical means of attack. Criminals may follow your posts and manage to find out when the office is empty, when you get deliveries or even when you are transporting cash.
There has been a lot of cases where people have posted about how they are travelling, forgetting that they are consequently telling their entire network that they are out of the house and will be for the foreseeable future!
Make sure not to post anything too detailed about opening hours or other particulars that could lead to information about your company being revealed.
Check your privacy settings
Social media being an online tool means that users are open to hacking, this means that personal information such as location, contact information and other important details could be accessed if you become a target.
There are ways to try and deter hackers and to make it harder for them to access any information; some are common sense, like not opening any spam emails, whereas others can be more high tech, like keeping your web browser up to date. However, these tips may not transfer to mobile devices which are usually what is used most when it comes to social media.
If you make sure to update any passwords often, you can stop people from getting in that way and take care when dealing with suspicious looking emails, you’ll have a better chance of avoiding any hacking threats.
Although social media is a huge opportunity for businesses to market themselves online, as with most things it comes with some threats. However, as long as you are careful with what you are posting and are sure to double check all information you are releasing, these threats can be greatly reduced.
Here at The Creation Lab we work with companies to perfect their social media and blog posts, ensuring they are safe and effective! If you are interested in this service or any others we offer please get in touch with our friendly team here, or alternatively you can give us a call on 01322 252 292.
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