Using social media safely

Social media offer a variety of ways to share information quickly and easily. The special attraction is that everyone can participate and the services are often free of charge.

If the social media services are offered free of charge by companies, the price is often the (unasked-for) transfer of user data. It should never be forgotten that once information is disclosed on the Internet, it cannot be deleted. Moreover, information about you can be used to prepare attacks on your Authority or institution through you (via so-called social engineering.

If you post personal data such as photos or comments on the Internet, you must assume that you can no longer control their dissemination.

The options for using social media in such a way that as little personal data as possible is transmitted are limited. Many of the services thrive on users revealing personal data.

If you don’t want to give up social media:

• Don’t use your real name (not all providers allow this, though).
• Change the settings so that not everyone, but only your acquaintances can see your data
• Only post information that you would also tell a complete stranger and that you never want to delete - not even in ten years time
• Delete the cookies in your browser regularly
• Most browsers allow “private browsing” where, for example, cookies are deleted when you close them - use this feature!
• Only accept friend requests if you are sure who is asking
• Use a strong password (for information on this, see the lesson “passwords”)