Tag Archives: online security

Protect Yourself From Social Networking Site Hacks

social networking

In the world of social media, everything nowadays is online and public for all to view. With the numerous updates we face every day, it’s important to keep yourself up-to-date on what social networking sites share to others and how you can limit those settings. Protect yourself online with these simple tips to start!

Be Cautious When Adding Friends

Being constantly bombarded with friend requests and follows slowly weakens your cautiousness. You begin to accept more people without really digging in. This makes you a target for hackers. When someone has a friend in common on Facebook, this doesn’t mean you should just add them. Make sure you truly know the person before accepting a follow/friend request. Comb through your friends list now and delete those you don’t know.

Update Your Privacy Settings

It’s important to update your privacy settings so only friends and followers can see your posts. Hackers and other unwanted viewers are able to see your posts and photos if you keep things on public. Facebook answers some common privacy settings questions here.

Don’t Enable Auto Login

Yes, it’s easier to have your phone and computer “remember” your password and username. However, if someone were to gain access to your phone, they would automatically have access to all material and credit card info that is auto saved on sites.

Change Passwords Frequently

This may be an old tip, but it is the MOST important. Changing your password every 30-60 days and making sure it’s different from your other accounts will increase your security online exponentially.

Stop Geotagging

This is one of the most dangerous features now enabled on social networks and devices. Most people don’t realize Twitter and Instagram both use geotagging (which stores the latitude and longitude of your Tweet or image) for everything you send out. Pictures you take on an iPhone usually store geotagging information as well. This gives unwanted people way too much information about your location. See how you can turn this feature off on an iPhone and iPad here.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

This feature has become an important addition to many social networking sites. It can be frustrating when trying to log in on a new device, but enabling Two-Factor Authentication means you will be alerted right away if someone is trying to log in.

These security tips are easy ways to start down the path of becoming more secure while online. It’s better to be aware of the features these sites hold and know exactly how they can help or hurt you. At Heartland Bank, we take pride in how secure our clients’ information is and aim to help others protect themselves.

Securing Your Identity with Heartland Bank

Online Security

Capture fraudulent activity as soon as it happens with Heartland Bank’s secure Identity Theft Monitoring System. Powered by IDT911, this incredible systems helps users prevent data breaches, and safeguards their information. Learn the top 5 ways to improve your online information with these easy tips courtesy of Heartland Bank.

  1. Be Careful What You Post

When posting onto various social media accounts, be sure you’re not sharing too much! Many criminals can glean personal knowledge like your phone number, address, or children’s names, simply from viewing your public account.

  1. Beef Up Those Passwords

Be sure to maximize the security behind you online accounts with a heavy duty password. The more symbols, capitalizations, and random conjecture put together the better. A simple option to remember is to use symbols instead of letters when possible, so the work “password,” might become p@$$w0rD.

  1. Watch Out for Phishing Scams

If it seems too good to be true it most likely is! Many phishing scams these days however tend to attempt to duplicate a vendor you already know and use. If a familiar company sends you an email asking for immediate action, or confidential information, always check your personal communication and reach out to a company representative using contact information outside of the questionable email. This way you can confirm if the email is authentic without giving them access to any materials they are requesting.

  1. Double Check for Encryption

Before making any transactions online search for the site’s security certification or badge. Be sure that if you’re inputting any financial or credit card information that it remains secure. If no visible security is available on the website it may be best to find a different vendor.

  1. Educate Your Kiddos

Now that you know the ins and outs of online safety, make certain your children are up to the challenge as well! Have a talk with them to go over the right and wrong ways to use the internet, in addition to the areas online to stay away from.

Make sure your online safety is up to par with Heartland Bank’s Identity Theft Monitoring System! Get started to day by calling us at (515) 352-3181.