Ten tips for staying safe on Twitter
5. Don’t be too trusting
You can never be sure the stranger you ‘networked’ with via Twitter is who they say they are. Don’t be easily befriended by strangers on Twitter who may not have your best interests at heart.
6. Check third party applications
There are hundreds of applications out there for Twitter. Before signing up to one of these, check to see that they are safe. You can do this by looking for mentions of the tools on trusted sites. Remember that the apps generally require your password and log in details so be extra cautious before sharing this information.
The same basic rules that apply to other social networking sites can also be applied to Twitter, so don’t forget the following too:
7. Password information
Use different passwords, or better still, set up separate email accounts for your social networks. That way, if you stop your account, you can easily delete the email account too. Be mindful of where you are sending your updates and the types of security questions you set.
8. Signing in
Check your browser settings on your computer so that your information is not stored for anyone else to see if you are on a shared computer!
9. Watch out for phishing attacks
As Twitter gets more popular, the likelihood of phishing attacks grows. Be aware of attempts to get users to give up their login and passwords by tricking them with fake tweets and direct messages.
10. Being mobile
Be mindful about who might have access to your mobile phone. If you have a Twitter application, make sure you log out once you’re finished with it.
Lloyd Borrett, Marketing Manager AVG (AU/NZ) advises, “As with any online activity be smart, be aware, be careful, and you can stay as safe on Twitter as anywhere else online.”