Why hackers love social media influencers & how to protect yourself online
Hackers hack for many different reasons. Some do it for financial gain, others do it to prove themselves, some enjoy messing with people’s lives, and some have more dangerous motives, such as stalking.
No matter what the hack’s purpose might be, some people offer a playground to hackers without even realizing it. Social media influencers are high on this list, which is why it is so important to protect yourself online with a VPN and a few other security measures.
Influencers Have Something Hackers Want
Social media influencers are people who are trusted by those that follow them. They have worked hard to build up their credibility, and it has paid off. They have a platform full of people who listen to what they say and enjoy their content.
This credibility and trust they have gained give influencers one thing that hackers crave: Access. People who trust them and follow them are typically more vulnerable to these influencers and their actions than people they do not trust.
For instance, many influencers have names, email addresses, and other private information about their followers to inform them when new content comes out or to keep in touch for different reasons. Allowing someone to have such private information is risky, especially when others can get access to it.
Additionally, social media influencers often have relationships with different companies whose products they share online. While these companies are almost certainly more protected than the average individual follower, the truth is that nothing is 100 percent foolproof.
There are several ways a hacker can cause problems for a social media influencer, and several reasons to take extra precautions:
Protect Your Privacy
Influencers must protect their privacy and that of their family. Being in front of the general public as influencers can open several doors. You could easily become the object of someone’s affection and unwanted attention. These people can become dangerous, especially if they can gain access to your personal address or phone number.
You could also become the object of someone’s rage or envy, even if you have never met them. People who live most or even just a part of their lives in the spotlight can face more dangers and threats than others. Protecting your privacy and personal information is absolutely necessary.
Protect Your Reputation
You must also take steps to protect the reputation that you have worked so hard to build. Some hackers have no intention other than to wreak havoc on their victims’ lives, which is not something a social media influencer can afford. It might only take one unfavorable post to ruin the trust that your followers have in you, so you must make protecting it a top priority.
Protect Your Content
As a social media influencer, content is your life. What you create, post, and share is the bread and butter of your business, and it takes a lot of effort. Videos might only take five minutes to watch, but it can take days, weeks, or even months to create, shoot, and edit the content.
Even with all of the effort that goes into creating content, many influencers leave the door wide open for that content to be stolen. Don’t risk it- lock it up tight until you are ready to share it.
Protect Your Followers
Again, influencers have a lot of information about their followers. When a follower shares their name, birth date, email address, or other personal information, they show a profound amount of trust in you. Be sure you take every step possible not to break that trust.
5 Steps You Can Take to Protect Yourself
As a social media influencer, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself and your fans.
Make Strong PasswordsFirst and foremost, having strong passwords is incredibly important. Though using a random keyword generator is a good idea for everyone, it is certainly wise for anyone in the spotlight. That is because through sharing things with your followers, you will reveal certain things about yourself that a hacker can use to break into your accounts.
For instance, let’s say you choose the name of a faraway city for a password- one that you have visited or maybe dreamed of visiting. One day while sharing vacation memories with your fans, you let this city name slip without even realizing it.
Unfortunately, this slight slip may be all a hacker needs to dive in. Instead of taking the chance, make sure your passwords are nothing personal by using a keyword generator.
Use Two Layer Authentication
Using a two-layer or multi-factor authentication process is a great way to keep hackers out. Even if they guess your password, they need the second factor, such as a fingerprint or access to your phone, to bypass your security measures.
Use a VPN
Using a VPN is another wise step to take. By encrypting your data and ensuring that no one can pinpoint your geographical location, you are preventing a lot of threats.
Beware of Threats
Stay in contact with fellow influencers. If anyone has noticed any suspicious activity on their accounts, you can all learn from it. Hearing from others who have experienced it is one of the best ways to know what to watch out for.
Be Careful What You Share
All a hacker needs is one simple slip or misstep to dig into your life. When you are creating content, be extra vigilant about what you share. For instance, if you show off a document or receipt of some sort, be sure that none of your personal information is showing.
Protecting yourself online is important for every single person that logs onto the Internet. As a social media influencer, you not only have the power to protect yourself online but also to influence others to do the same.
