Security Tips for Social Media Accounts

Social media platforms are getting bigger and bigger. According to Statista data, the number of social media users is expected to reach 2027 billion in 6. This situation brings account security to the agenda on social media platforms where millions of people spend their time globally. BYG Digital Founder Mustafa Tatar shared important information about the security of social media accounts.

“Social media is a very complicated structure”

BYG Digital Founder Mustafa Tatar pointed out that approximately 50 percent of the global population is involved in social media, which has become a part of the social fabric. Pointing out that social media has risen to an indispensable position in daily life, he said: “Social media is now a news source, the most popular way to communicate and interact with friends. Even in our daily communication with our family members, we now use groups on social media. We shop on social media, review consumer reviews and have fun. So we are talking about a very complex structure. The number of activities and applications that can be performed on networks of this nature is increasing.”

“There is a big cyber war in the background”

Tatar stated the following: “In recent years, social media account hacking cases have increased a lot. Maybe we use our social media accounts without any problems; but there is a massive cyber warfare in the background. On the one hand, platforms and on the other hand, cyber security experts are fighting against cyber attackers. User errors strengthen the hand of cyber attackers and they can prevail in this war. The most important reasons for this are; These are factors such as using incorrect passwords, clicking on unknown links, or failing to secure devices with social media accounts open.”

“Never open links from DM”

BYG Digital Founder Mustafa Tatar, who made various suggestions regarding social media account security, said, “The most basic security measures are; Do not use third-party apps for your social media accounts. Do not have the same passwords for your social media accounts; use different, unique and strong passwords for each account. Special attention should be paid to phishing messages. Do not click on any link that comes as a direct message on social media and that you do not trust. Priority security rule on Instagram; Never open links from DM. These links can contain malware that gains full access to files on the device. Even if you click, do not provide the requested information in the link that opens. For example; Instagram never sends direct messages; If you enter your information by clicking on the links that come with the message as if it was sent on Instagram, it means that your account is in the hands of others.”

Mustafa Tatar listed his other suggestions for safe use of social media as follows; “Making your profile and posts public only to friends on social media platforms will help protect privacy. Friend requests from accounts that are not known at all or that are understood to be fake accounts may pose a cybercrime risk. In addition, promises of getting rich in a short time or requests for emotional relationships may come from social media platforms. These often come from fake accounts. After gaining your trust, they may ask for money or your personal information. Such messages should not be trusted. Apart from these, using security software for social media accounts will increase security.”

“We need to make social media safe for children”

Mustafa Tatar listed other suggestions as follows: “Block suspicious accounts and those who make abnormal comments. Report suspicious and inappropriate content and accounts, people offering money and gifts to the platform. Also, 'Did you see the complaints about him, weren't you ashamed of doing them?' Messages like these are for direct fraud and stealing your account. Do not trust them!”

Tatar said, “One of the most important methods of strengthening account security is the two-factor authentication system. Platforms offer this feature. In other words, it is important to activate the verification by e-mail, phone or an application when logged in on a different device. With this verification, it means confirming that you are the owner of the account so that you can open the account again when the account is hacked. Tatar said, "We need to make social media safe for children, too." Thus, parents can set daily time limits, see who their children follow, and have information from their posts.

Mustafa Tatar noted that BYG Digital provides professional services in the field of cyber security. He also added that they provide support in many areas from the recovery of stolen social media accounts to secure social media management services.

The social media ecosystem is growing

The number of users of social media platforms is increasing day by day. According to Statista data, there are 2022 billion social media users worldwide as of 4.6. In 2027, this figure is expected to reach 6 billion. The number of users of Facebook, the most popular social media platform, has reached 3 billion. With 2.5 billion users in pursuit of Facebook Youtube is located. WhatsApp is in third place with two billion users, while the number of users of Instagram is recorded as approximately 1.5 billion. The number of users in TikTok, which has become increasingly widespread, has reached 1 billion. Globally, people spend an average of 2.5 hours a day on social media platforms, according to statistics from We Are Social. In Turkey, this average has reached 3 hours.