Twitter is one of the most popular sites in the world and the more popular it becomes the more important it is that you know Twitter security tips to keep your account safe.
The reason for this is because Twitter is also a hotbed of spammers and hackers who are eager to social engineer their way into your account and wreak havoc on more than just your Twitter feed.
As your Twitter account grows and you have more followers, it’s a common occurrence to notice that password reset requests occur more frequently.
Often times these password resets are from people trying to hack your account.
The good news is you don’t have to fall victim to a hacker.
If you follow the 10 Twitter safety tips below, you’re almost guaranteed to stay out of trouble.
10 Smart Twitter Security Tips to Keep Your Account Secure Infographic
1. Use Two Factor Authentication
Twitter offers a form of two-factor authentication, called login verification, which requires users to have both their smartphone and their account password to log into the account.
When you’ve turned on login verification, every time you try to sign in to Twitter with your username and password, or use a new and unfamiliar device, you’ll receive a text message with a one-time verification code to sign in to enter.
If you stay locked in, you won’t need to re-enter a code, so sign out of Twitter when you’re done in case your phone falls into the wrong hands.
2. Avoid phishing scams
As with any other account, never give out your password on Twitter.
Scammers often send messages to users claiming to be from Twitter, asking you to verify your account, or informing you that your account has been compromised and you need to change your password.
Others may offer services, such as verifying your account or a prize, and all you have to do is log in. Remember: Twitter will never ask for your password, and any time you get a request for that information, it’s a phishing attack.
3. Use Mobile Security Programs
Protect your device against viruses, malware, phishing attacks and hacking by installing a mobile security program.
Such an app can help block malware and other attacks that give hackers access to your personal information — including your social media accounts.
4. Create a strong password
Weak or easily guessed passwords are one of the main causes of hacks and breaches. A hacker intent on getting into your Twitter account will try anything, so make your passwords as strong as possible.
Create a password of at least 10 characters and contains a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. Don’t reuse passwords either, in case another account is compromised.
5. Avoid suspicious links
Twitter’s 140-character limit has led to the rise of link shorteners that allow users to share links in their tweets, but link shorteners also have the effect of hiding the actual destination of the link.
Before you click on any link, use a tool like LongURL to check the link and make sure it leads to a legitimate site.
6. Be careful with direct messages
Hackers often spread malware through Twitter’s Direct Messages feature.
Also be careful with messages from friends or known contacts if they contain links. Follow friends to see if they’ve sent your messages and if they haven’t deleted them without clicking.
7. Use Twitter’s Privacy Tools
Most Twitter users have public accounts, which means anyone can find you and follow your tweets. This is great for brand building, but it also increases the likelihood of spam and hacking attempts.
To keep them to a minimum, use privacy tools that Twitter offers.
For example, you can protect your tweets so that only your followers can see them, protect your profile so that you need to approve follow requests, and report spammers or followers .
8. Be careful with third-party applications
Using your Twitter ID to sign in to third-party apps and websites is convenient, but it can also put you at risk for a hack.
Be careful about which apps you allow to access Twitter and periodically review which apps have access and revoke permissions for those you don’t use.
9. Look for fake websites
Fake websites – ones that look like the real thing but actually host malware or worse – are more common than you might think. If you’re accessing Twitter through the official app, you don’t need to worry too much about a fake page, but when you go through a browser, double-check that you’re on the right page and don’t give access to criminals.
10. Lock the phone
Finally, keep your data safe if your phone falls into the wrong hands by locking it when not in use.
Use the tools available on your device to keep it safe:
- Use a code to lock the phone
- Enable biometric security if possible
- Enable remote wipe capabilities when available
The more Twitter security tips you follow, the less likely it is that your Twitter account will be compromised.
Conclusion
After all? Use the tools that are available and with the right security measures, your Twitter account will remain secure.
