Privacy Settings
Review who can see your information
- Who can see posts, photos, location, and personal information like birthdates.
- Who can send friend requests.
- Who can look you up using your email address.
Social Media and Mobile Devices
Social Media Safety
Scammers use information from social media to build trust and create personalized attacks.
Do NOT share sensitive information via social media
- Social security numbers.
- Addresses.
- Personal contact information.
- Family members’ names.
Avoid oversharing personal details in public posts
- Health circumstances.
- Financial situations.
- Travel plans or daily routines.
Be cautious of sharing travel plans or daily routines
- It gives strangers the knowledge of your location at specific times.
- It communicates to burglars when you are out of the house.
- You should never make a post that lets others know you will either be away from home or home alone.
- Information from posts can be used by hackers to figure out answers to security questions.
Be wary of accepting friend requests from strangers
The fewer people that have access to your personal pictures and information, the better.
Fake account red flags:
- Sudden bursts of followers or posts.
- Generic profiles.
- Minimal real interaction.
- Poor grammar.
- Commenting strange links or having them in their bio.
- A lack of history.
You don’t have to be friends with everyone who sends you a request. Verify profiles by looking for mutual friends and checking the profile’s activity.
Romance Scams
A trick where individuals create fake online personas to build fake romantic relationships, gain trust, and then manipulate victims into sending them money or revealing personal information.
Common themes or red flags:
- Claiming to have constant emergencies, such as medical bills or travel costs.
- Claiming to be abroad, like a military member.
- Making constant excuses to avoid video calls or meeting in person.
- Requesting money or personal data.
Visual example
Example social media red flags
Look for signs that a profile may not be genuine.
Example profileIllustration
JS
James S.
@james_loves_you_forever
3 posts2 friendsJoined this month
Traveling abroad right now. Looking for a serious connection.
- New account
- Few interactions
- Generic profile
- Minimal history
- Generic profile
- Few real interactions
Example romance scam messageIllustration
Message: “I care about you so much, but I have an emergency. I need help paying a medical bill. Please send money today.”
- Emergency request
- Asks for money
- Avoids meeting in person
Safe Mobile Device Use
Apps and QR Codes
App permissions
Only grant permissions that are necessary for an app to function. Apps may request access to contacts, location, camera, microphone, or files without actually needing it.
Official app stores
Always download apps from official app stores. Check reviews and ratings before downloading an app to ensure it is legitimate. Be suspicious of apps with very few downloads or poor reviews.
QR codes
Be careful of scanning QR codes. They can link to malicious websites or download malware. Never scan QR codes from untrusted sources or unsolicited communications.
Check for physical tampering, for example if the code is a sticker someone has placed over the original. Use apps that preview the URL before opening.
Be especially careful in public places like restaurants, parking meters, posters, flyers, and bulletin boards. A scammer may place a fake QR-code sticker over a legitimate one and send you to a malicious website.
- Preview the link before opening it.
- Be cautious before entering personal or payment information.
- If anything looks suspicious, do not continue.
Visual example
Example QR code warning
Be cautious when scanning QR codes in public places, especially if the code is posted on a table, sign, flyer, or parking meter.
QR code scam example
- Public place caution
- Sticker tampering
- Preview the URL
- Do not enter payment info unless the site is legitimate
Smart Home
Smart Home & Internet-Connected Devices
This includes devices that connect to your home Wi-Fi, such as smart TVs, video doorbells and security cameras, home security systems, smart speakers, and smart thermostats.
- Never use default passwords for your smart home devices.
- Keep devices updated.
- Review privacy policies to understand the device’s data collection.
- Adjust privacy settings to limit data when possible.
- Consider muting devices when discussing sensitive information.
Smart speakers and other connected devices
Smart speakers like Alexa and Google Home are always listening. They collect data about your habits, preferences, and routines. Other connected devices, such as cameras, doorbells, TVs, and security systems, may also collect information or be accessed over the internet.
Outdated devices are more vulnerable to security attacks. Enable automatic updates when possible or manually check for updates regularly.
Many devices record conversations, track usage patterns, and monitor behavior. Some devices share data with third parties.