Social media lets you connect with customers, but there are privacy risks. Learn how to help protect your business social media accounts.
Social media is an important tool for many businesses. For some, it’s the main way they connect with customers online. It can help you reach new customers, promote your brand and build relationships with your existing customers.
Although it can be a powerful marketing platform for your business, social media can also create new risks. Hackers, scams and data tracking can expose private information. This can leave your business, staff and customers vulnerable to cyber security threats.
Many business owners don’t realise they can take control of their social media privacy settings. These settings let you determine what information is shared and who can see your posts. Taking the time to update them can help keep your business safe.
Using social media without strong privacy settings can lead to problems. Here are some common risks.
Social media platforms collect and share more data than most people realise. Your email, phone number and even your location may be public by default.
Weak or reused passwords can let hackers take control of your business account. Phishing attacks can also target social media accounts.
Some apps connect to your account and collect data. You may have given them access without knowing how much data they take.
If former staff still have access to your accounts, they could post or change settings.
Scammers may create fake profiles pretending to be your business. This can confuse customers and may damage your reputation.
Protecting your social media accounts doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some steps to help make your accounts safer.
Ensuring your privacy settings are right for you is a critical first step.
Go to the privacy settings on each social media platform you use. Review what is public and what is private. Adjust settings so only the right people can see your posts, send messages, or find your business.
Some platforms update their privacy settings often. It’s a good idea to check them every few months.
Consider how much data you are happy to share with social media platforms.
You may want to limit data tracking and reduce how much personal or business information is shared.
Social media platforms track what businesses do online. They may collect location data, browsing history, and customer interactions. This data is often used for advertising, but it can also be risky.
Many cyber attacks are successful because of weak or reused passwords.
Use a different password for each social media account. A password manager can help you keep track of them. Take the time to set up a strong approach to password management.
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). This adds an extra step when logging in, such as a text message code. MFA makes it harder for hackers to access your account.
If multiple people manage your social media accounts, make sure only trusted employees have access. When someone leaves the business, remove their login details immediately.
Some platforms allow role-based access. This means you can decide which permissions to give employees. For example, you can decide that one employee can post content, while others can only view analytics. Using this feature can help keep your accounts secure.
Think carefully before posting online. Avoid sharing private business details like financial records, staff schedules, or personal phone numbers.
Be careful with sharing location data on social media. Some geolocation tags may list the exact address of your location, not just the city or general area you’re in. Sharing your location too often could make you a target for crime.
Scammers often try to trick businesses and customers. They may send fake messages on social media asking for account details.
Cybercriminals may also create fake accounts pretending to be your business. They do this to scam your customers or employees.
Search for your business name on social media regularly. If you see a fake account, report it to the platform.
Managing social media privacy settings can take time. Each platform has different options, and they change often.
Telstra’s Device Security for Business, powered by McAfee, makes it easier. It includes Social Privacy Manager. This is a feature that helps you take control of privacy settings across your channels.
Social Privacy Manager recommends the right privacy settings for your social media accounts, based on how you want to engage online. It also helps you control your social media visibility and data.
Here are the key benefits of Social Privacy Manager with Telstra’s Device Security for Business:
With Social Privacy Manager & Telstra Device Security for Business, business owners don’t have to spend hours adjusting social media settings. It helps you make sure your accounts are as private and secure as possible.
Social Privacy Manager in Telstra Device Security for Business covers the following platforms:
Social media is a great way to grow your business, but it’s important to manage your privacy settings to stay safe.
By updating your settings, limiting data sharing, and using strong passwords, you can help to reduce security risks. Removing old employee access and watching out for scams can also help protect your brand.
Telstra’s Device Security for Business makes social media privacy easier to manage. It helps businesses take control of their online security while saving time.
For more information, visit Telstra’s Business Cyber Security page.
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