Cyber Defense eMagazine December Edition for 2021

With over 4 billion users, social media platforms present a big target for hackers, scammers, and identity
thieves. As a result, it pays to be careful about the platform you use and how you use it. In this article,
our US cybersecurity expert Alex Lysak will be looking at nine different ways social media and
cybersecurity are connected and how to practice social media safety.
What is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting devices or networks from cyber-attacks, malware or other
online threats. These cyberattacks are typically aimed at gaining access to, altering, or destroying
sensitive data, extorting money from users, or disrupting normal corporate activities. Whether you're an
individual or a company, cybercriminals don't discriminate, and you need to be able to protect your
devices and data from cyber security threats.
Because there are more devices than humans nowadays, and attackers are growing more inventive,
putting in place effective cybersecurity measures is very difficult. Over the last few years, there has been
a rise in the number of high-profile cyber-attacks, particularly those using ransomware. This type of
malware encrypts a user's data, making it useless unless the user gives in to demands and pays a
ransom.
Hackers often demand payment in the form of cryptocurrency, which has the advantage of being much
easier to use than other forms of online payment. Payments made using cryptocurrencies have increased
a lot over the past few years, as researched by Scanteam, this is partly thanks to the added level of
security as well as the potential anonymity.
Protecting Yourself While Using social media
Although you can use antivirus software and other tools to keep your device secure from threats, the best
way to stay safe online is by taking the right precautions. By following good practices while online, you
can avoid malware and stay safe from cyber-attacks, including those on social media.
Here are a few of the things to avoid or be careful of when using social media if you want to stay secure:
Providing Too Much Personal Information
When using social media, users often fill out their profiles without caring much about who sees them.
Although it may seem innocuous to provide details on your birthday, your family members, where you
grew up, and more, it can put you at risk. By publishing so much information about yourself online, you
can be affecting your cybersecurity, making it easier for hackers to gain entry to your accounts or for
identity thieves to open up credit cards or bank accounts in your name.
Additionally, you should also be careful about the contact details you provide, as scammers will often
look for email addresses and phone numbers. When combined with your personal information, they can
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