​To continue its article series for Cyber Security Awareness Month, the ACS IT department would like to share some tips for staying safe while using social media. 

Would you let a stranger look in your wallet or purse? Would you let all your friends and acquaintances have a look? These are two important questions to consider when you post information on social media sites. Although it may not be readily apparent, the information you post on Facebook or Twitter can be just as personal as what you carry in your wallet or purse.

The Internet is a valuable tool for collaboration, communication, and entertainment. Unfortunately, many unsavory groups and individuals have figured out how to use the power of the internet not only to invade personal privacy but also as an avenue for spreading malicious and/or dangerous code. Luckily, there are some relatively easy ways of keeping yourself and your family safe. Here are 10 tips to keep in mind, for safer social media use: 

1. Think before you post – Do not post information that would make you vulnerable, such as your address or information about your schedule or routine. If your connections post information about you, make sure the combined information is not more than you would be comfortable with strangers knowing.
2. The internet is public and "forever" – Only post information you are comfortable with anyone seeing. This includes information and photos in your profile and in blogs and other forums. Also, remember that once you post information online, you cannot retract it. Even if you remove the information from a site, saved or cached versions may still exist on other people's machines.
3. What's in your settings? – Take advantage of a site's privacy settings. The default settings for some sites may allow anyone to see your profile, but you can customize your settings to restrict access to only certain people. There is still a risk that private information could be exposed despite these restrictions, so don't post anything that you wouldn't want the public to see. Sites may change their options periodically, so review your security and privacy settings regularly to ensure your choices are still appropriate.
4. Use strong and unique passwords – Protect your account with passwords that cannot easily be guessed. If your password is compromised, someone else may be able to access your account and pretend to be you. Never use the same password on social media as you do for work or banking.
5. Beware of third-party applications – Third-party applications may provide entertainment or functionality, but use caution when deciding which applications to enable. Avoid applications that seem suspicious, and modify your settings to limit the amount of information the applications can access.
6. Be wary of strangers – The internet makes it easy for people to misrepresent their identities and motives. Consider limiting the people who can contact you on these sites. If you interact with people you do not know, be cautious about the amount of information you reveal or agreeing to meet them in person.
7. Be skeptical – Do not believe everything you read online. People may post false or misleading information about various topics, including their own identities. This is not necessarily done with malicious intent; it could be unintentional, an exaggeration, or a joke. Take appropriate precautions, though, and try to verify the authenticity of any information before taking any action.
8. Check privacy policies – Some sites may share information, such as email addresses or user preferences, with other companies. This may lead to you receiving more spam in your email. Additionally, try to locate the policy for handling referrals to make sure that you do not unintentionally sign your friends up for spam. Some sites will continue to send email messages to anyone you refer until they join.
9. Keep software and browsers up to date – Install official software updates so attackers cannot take advantage of known problems or vulnerabilities. Many operating systems offer automatic updates. If this option is available, you should enable it.
10. Use and maintain antivirus software – Antivirus software helps protect your computer against known viruses, so you may be able to detect and remove the virus before it can do any damage. Because attackers are continually writing new viruses, it is important to keep your antivirus definitions up to date.

While this list of tips is not exhaustive, it provides a guide to a more secure social media experience. By following these guidelines, you can get all the enjoyment meant to come from social media, while keeping your personal information private and your computer safe.

Children are especially susceptible to the threats that social networking sites present. Although many social media sites have age restrictions, children may misrepresent their ages so they can join. By teaching children about internet safety, being aware of their online habits, and guiding them to appropriate websites, parents can ensure that their children become safe and responsible users.