Safety & Security Tips for Facebook Users Working from Home

facebook social media Dec 21, 2020

With so many professionals working from home these days as a result of forced quarantine, security is a top priority. If social media is part of your marketing strategy, use these tips to stay safe, and secure your Facebook account during this heavier than normal usage period.

Use a Strong Password and Never Share Your Login

Facebook urges users to always use a strong password made up of a complex combination of letters, numbers, and symbols (alternating case). Be careful not to use a password that can be easily guessed or has any details from your life (your pet’s name, kids’ birthdates, etc.).

Never use the same password on other websites and do not share your Facebook or Instagram login with anyone else. Change your password often to stay extra safe.

Turn on Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication helps to keep your Facebook account safe by texting or emailing a code so that only you can log in and make changes. Whenever two-factor authentication is offered, take advantage of this additional layer of security.

Use Facebook’s Privacy Checkup Tool

Recently Facebook added a new privacy checkup tool to its resource base. You can use this feature to review who has access to see what you share. It allows you to control how people can find you on Facebook, adjust your data settings to keep things private, and secure your account using other helpful tips.

Update Your Contact Information on Facebook

Now is an excellent time to review your contact information on Facebook in case you get locked out, or someone hacks your account. If you review now and set up alternate contact details, you should be able to restore your account and regain access quickly. Be sure to provide an alternate email address and a cell phone number in your contact details. Do this on Instagram as well (Facebook’s sister company).

Watch Out for Phishing Scams and Fake Social Media Ads

Phishing scams and fake ads are on the rise right now. Fraudsters are taking advantage of so many people working from home and using social media to communicate with clients, customers, and vendors. Be extra careful and watch out for any emails that talk about COVID-19 or government payouts as part of the stimulus package. These are some hot topics right now, and cyber thieves are trying anything to get victims to click.

Never give out your personal details or credit card numbers to anyone you don’t know. Do not click links in emails. Instead, visit the website directly in a new browser window and log in from there. Even if an email looks legitimate, do not trust that it came from a trusted source.