If you’re a brand that conducts business online, you’re also vulnerable to hackers.
“Since 2013 there are 3,809,448 records stolen from breaches every day 158,727 per hour, 2,645 per minute and 44 every second of every day” – Cybersecurity Ventures
For online shops and businesses with a significant social presence, your digital accounts can be some of your most important assets.
Since businesses started using social media regularly in 2010, hackers have gotten more and more sophisticated. So here are some tips to remember that will keep you out of their reach.
You’re Only As Strong As Your Weakest Password
Oftentimes, all a hacker needs is access to one of you or your company’s accounts in order to gain access to the rest. That’s why strong passwords are essential.
Here are some key points of password security from Security Data Recovery for you to remember the next time you have to create or change a password:
- “Most importantly, passwords must be long and complex.
- Long and complex passwords require more effort and time for a hacker to guess.
- Passwords should contain at least ten characters and have a combination of characters such as commas, percent signs, and parentheses, as well as upper-case and lower-case letters and numbers.
- Users should never write down their passwords, as that makes it easier for the passwords to be stolen and used by someone else.
- Also, never use the same password for two or more devices, as hackers who break into one machine will try to use the same password to take control of others.”
Set Up Two-Step Or Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
If you don’t already know what two-factor authentication is, it’s time to learn!
Two factor authentication (2FA) as its name suggests requires you to use 2 means or factors of authenticating your ID every time you log in from an unknown device.
“Most forms of two-factor authentication ask you to sign in with your user name and password and then enter a code that is sent to you via SMS. This method not only proves that you know something (the username and password), but also that you have something (the mobile phone), which you have “registered” as a device to receive these codes.” – Intigo.com
Image courtesy of MacStories
Since it is unlikely that a hacker would have access to both your phone and your account information, 2FA adds an extra layer of protection.
But it’s not just about protecting your social media. Gmail accounts, online bank accounts, and private client or company information are all digital assets that can get hacked and start a ripple effect through your other digital
So add strong passwords and 2FA to all your online accounts to protect yourself on all fronts.
Prepare Yourself For The Worst
If you get locked out of your account altogether, you may have to start from scratch.
Remember, you don’t own Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, etc. so if your account is compromised, your lead and follower data could become lost forever. Followers and potential customers won’t know where to find you, they’ll simply think you deleted your account.
So remember to always collect and siphon off client data from social media platforms so that you can begin to rebuild in the face of any serious cyber hack.
Some influencers and companies have built their entire brands and businesses on the backs of platforms like Instagram and Facebook. But while social media can be a powerful tool to help you connect with your community online, it’s always wise to maintain control and ownership over your client database.
“You’ve heard it before and I’ll say it again. You don’t own anything on a network you don’t own. You own your website and your email list. That’s it.” – 10 Carat Creations
So, collect information like emails, phone numbers, and other addresses to help you have more ownership over leads and client data.
In the face of a cyber hack, platforms like Instagram do have account recovery protocol and processes in place. However, if you follow these tips, hopefully, you can avoid being compromised altogether!
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