STAYING SAFE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

From friend requests to phishing, here are the essentials

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and LinkedIn offer great ways to socialize and connect with friends and others who share similar interests — or to network professionally.

However, it’s easy to hide or alter one’s identity using any of these platforms. And if you haven’t met the person in real life, it’s hard to know their true identity or their real intentions.

Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself online, as well as some tips to help you assess online interactions and connections.

Be aware of what’s public

When was the last time you Googled yourself? Doing so regularly is a good way to see what kinds of information about you — or images and videos of you — are publicly available.

You can also set up a Google Alert for yourself so you’ll be notified whenever a new item about you is posted online.

Check your privacy settings

Every social media platform offers ways to control what information you’re sharing with whom. Check these settings often as they change all the time.

Here are some guides on how to set your privacy settings for Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram.

Don’t accept friend requests from strangers

One way to control who sees your posts or has access to information about you is to only accept friend requests from people you know on platforms like Snapchat, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Be careful when you check-in or share your location

When checking in somewhere or sharing your location, be aware that you’re essentially sharing your whereabouts with everyone who has access to what you post. You’re announcing where you are to your friends, but also, potentially to strangers.

Review your tags

Some platforms, like Facebook, allow you to view posts you’re tagged in so you can decide if you want to share them or not.

Don’t share personal information online

Regardless of what platform you’re on, don’t share personal information like your phone number, home address, email address or student ID number. If you need to share that information, do it privately and make sure you know who you’re sharing it with and why they need the information.

Don’t share anything you don’t want your grandma to see

Even if you have your privacy settings set to the max, don’t share anything online you wouldn’t want your grandma to see. Assume that once you’ve posted it, it’s online and findable forever.

Be aware of phishing scams

Be mindful when giving out your phone number, email address and other personal information online because, because this makes you a potential target for phishing scams and texts, emails or other communication with malicious software attachments. Don’t open suspicious emails or other messages.

Don’t reply to them. Don’t click on links contained within the communication and don’t provide your phone number, email address or any other information on a web page you may be directed to.

Keep an eye on your passwords

We all have too many passwords, but it’s important to ensure that all your passwords are different and as obscure as possible. A good password should contain a few capital letters, numbers and a symbol.

Don’t share your passwords and be sure to change them regularly. Also, make sure you have a password lock on your phone. Use apps like “Find My iPhone” to protect the data on your phone should it be lost or stolen. Always opt for two-way authentication whenever it’s available (i.e. when you need your username/password along with a piece of information that only you know, to log into a site).

Opt for email notifications for every log in. Check third-party apps regularly to see which has automatic access to your social media accounts. De-authorize ones you’re no longer using.

Check community guidelines

For more information, check the community guidelines on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Snapchat.

Following these tips and trusting your instincts will help you stay safe when interacting on social media.

Are you or someone you know in immediate danger?

If you are in immediate danger and are on campus contact Campus Safety and Prevention Services at 514-848-3717 – option 1.

If you are off campus call 911 or contact the police.

Campus resources

Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC): offers support services to Concordia students, staff and faculty who have been affected by sexual violence.

Office of Rights & Responsibilities: offers impartial, confidential, and independent services to those with concerns about the behaviour of any member of the Concordia community. They base their work on a number of policies, most notably Concordia’s Code of Rights and Responsibilities. Do you feel that a member of the Concordia community has engaged in harassment, discrimination, physical violence or threats*? Please contact them to discuss a situation you have encountered or witnessed. *For sexual violence or sexual misconduct complaints, please contact the Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC) as a first step.

Otsenhákta Student Centre: a place where Indigenous students can receive assistance, support and find community.

The Black Perspectives Office (BPO): provides resources, support, and connects and advocates for Black perspectives, initiatives and scholarship at Concordia.

NouLa - Black Student Centre: provides programming, services, and resources for Black Concordia students to support success and wellbeing.

Campus Safety and Prevention Services 24/7 at 514-848-3717 option 1

Social media policies, terms and conditions

Be sure to familiarize yourself with these sites' respective policies and use the in-app tools for reporting questionable content that goes against community standards and guidelines.