After making my share of privacy mistakes, I’ve realized that while social media is a fantastic way to keep in touch with friends and family, it also poses significant risks. Here are six privacy pitfalls I’ve encountered on social media, along with tips on how to steer clear of them.
1 Accepting Friend Requests from Strangers
One of my biggest missteps was accepting friend requests from people I didn’t know. At the time, it felt innocent—after all, what’s the harm in a little networking?
Things became unsettling when some of these unknowns started tagging me in strange posts and sending dubious links. I even noticed one of them commenting on my personal posts, where I shared information about my family, trips, and pictures of my dog. It felt intrusive, as if they knew way too much about my life.
This led me to realize that all my efforts to keep my social media profile private would be pointless if I kept adding strangers. Now, I’m much more selective. I always check if I know the person before accepting any friend request, look at their profile, and scrutinize their activity. If anything feels off, I either ignore or report the request.
2 Sharing Location and Life Updates in Real Time
I used to be the kind of person who felt compelled to share every moment as it happened—whether I was enjoying a nice dinner, wandering a new city, or attending a concert. It was exhilarating, but I was unknowingly revealing much more than just a moment; I was disclosing my real-time location.
My realization hit when I read articles about how burglars exploit social media to identify vulnerable targets who are out for the night or away on vacation. If it could happen to them, it easily could happen to me. That was when I understood the risks I had been taking.
Now, instead of posting while I’m out, I wait until I return home to share photos and stories. This small adjustment not only keeps my current location private but also allows me to relive those moments with the same joy.
3 Clicking on Suspicious Links
Another significant error I made was clicking on misleading links, often without a second thought. It’s a classic setup—something enticing, like an incredible deal or a sensational headline, catches your eye. The compulsion of curiosity and the hope of a reward can easily cloud your judgment.
One memorable incident happened while I was scrolling through Twitter. I came across a tweet from what seemed like a legitimate account promoting a giveaway—an exclusive discount on a popular product if I clicked a link and provided my information. I got so wrapped up in the excitement that I didn’t take a moment to think critically. The following day, my email inbox was bombarded with newsletters I didn’t subscribe to, offers that looked suspicious, and even potential phishing emails.
Since that experience, I consciously avoid clicking on links that promise unrealistic rewards or create a sense of urgency. I’ve also learned to hover over a link before clicking it to see where it actually leads. If the URL appears odd or unfamiliar, I steer clear of it. And when it comes to giveaways or any “too-good-to-be-true” offers, I remind myself to stay skeptical.
4 Participating in Seemingly Harmless Quizzes
We’ve all encountered those irresistible social media quizzes that promise to unveil your true self or invite you to share some silly photo from your past. I used to leap right into these, firmly believing they were just harmless fun.
One quiz I remember was titled “Which Disney Character Are You?” What I didn’t grasp at the time was that many of these quizzes are essentially tools for data mining, crafted to harvest personal information.
It wasn’t until a friend revealed that her “fun” quiz resulted in targeted ads cluttering her email inbox that I began to scrutinize my own quiz-taking habits. This revelation made me realize how easy it is to inadvertently share too much. I’ve come to recognize that even seemingly innocent quizzes can expose patterns regarding my life, interests, and habits that I’d rather keep private.
5 Ignoring Password Changes and Two-Factor Authentication
In my early social media days, I completely overlooked the importance of strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA). Like many others, I often reused the same password across multiple accounts, thinking, “What are the odds of being hacked?”
A few months back, I received an alarming notification about a login attempt to my Instagram account from across the globe. It hit me that I had been using the same password for Instagram, Facebook, and even my email all these years—how reckless that was!
Fortunately, that login attempt failed, and nothing was compromised, but it was a wake-up call. Immediately, I dove into the security settings of all my accounts, changing my passwords and enabling 2FA wherever I could.
6 Neglecting Privacy Controls on Social Media Posts and Profiles
When setting up my accounts on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, I was too eager to begin posting to bother with privacy settings. However, an eye-opening moment occurred when I was browsing and stumbled on the profile of a friend of a friend.
Curious, I clicked on their profile and was taken aback by how much personal information was available. This person was not in my friends list, and yet I could see their phone number, email, photos, and even the accounts they followed.
This experience made me reconsider the visibility of my posts and the details I was sharing online. I have since adjusted my privacy settings to “Friends Only” and restricted my profile visibility to protect my personal information from strangers. I’m also in the habit of regularly reviewing my privacy settings, especially after updates from the platform.
Reflecting on these past mistakes, I realize that while I wish I hadn’t made them, they have turned into valuable lessons. I hope you can learn from my experiences and take proactive steps to safeguard your privacy. Remember, a little vigilance goes a long way.