How To Protect Yourself From Cybercriminals on Social Media

Since 2004, the president and Congress have declared October Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The theme this year is “See Yourself in Cyber,” where the focus is on the “people” part of cybersecurity and actions that everyone should take to improve cybersecurity at work and at home. With that in mind, the Methodist Legal\Compliance Department is spotlighting the dangers cybercriminals on social media.

People today spend more time than ever on the internet. With every social media account you interact with, every picture you post and every status you update, you’re sharing information about yourself with the world. Meanwhile, cybercriminals use social media to spread malware, malicious links and malicious advertising. They can leverage hacked credentials to refine their malware and scamming targets, and they use the “oversharing” of personal information to target online accounts.

Steps You Can Take

Take these steps to secure your online safety by safely navigating and using social media.

Never click and tell. Limit what information you post on social media – whether it’s personal addresses or where you like to grab coffee. What many people don’t realize is that these seemingly random details are all a criminal needs to target you, your loved ones and your belongings – online and in the real world. Keep Social Security numbers, account numbers and passwords private, as well as specific information about yourself, such as your full name, address, birthday and even vacation plans.

Connect only with people you trust. While some social networks might seem safer for connecting because of the limited personal information shared within them, keep your connections to people you know and trust. If communication seems strange or odd, delete it.

Speak up if you’re being cyberbullied online. Report any and all instances of cyberbullying you see or experience to the appropriate social platform.

Report suspicious or harassing activity. Work with your social media platform to report and possibly block harassing users.

The Internet Doesn't Forget

Remember to be cautious of what you share online regarding your job and your personal life. Even if you delete a post or picture from your profile seconds after posting it, there’s a possibility someone saw it, saved it or shared it. Information is permanent in cyberspace. 

Please take a moment to review the MHS Social Networking Policy. If you have questions, contact the Privacy Officer Anita Patterson, MS, CHCO, at (402) 354-6863 or anita.patterson@nmhs.org.