Tips for safe tweeting

16.08.2010

Twitter provides an easy way to share and find instantly updated information. However, make sure to take the right security precautions.

Twitter has become a worldwide online phenomenon, and, as with all online social networks, members are being targeted by criminals. An increasing number of tricks, scams and spam show up in tweets every day, making it more important than ever to stay alert when tweeting.

Still, with a little common sense and the right security precautions, Twitter can be a safe way to stay in touch with the world. The computer security software company F-Secure offers this advice on how to tweet safely:

1. Keep your software updated
Anyone can tweet. Remember to watch where you click. Don’t sign up for or follow everything. Expect a lot of silly forwards, and never allow an unfamiliar program to install itself.

Your best precaution is an Internet security suite along with updated system software. Make sure that all of your applications - including Adobe Acrobat Reader, Flash, iTunes, Quicktime and RealPlayer - are fully patched and protected.

2. Be skeptical of any direct messages
Never let your guard down. In only a few minutes, a Twitter account can be created that impersonates almost anyone. It might be a good idea to carefully scan the profile page of any person you’re thinking of following. As well as this, you can never really know if any Twitter account has been taken over by someone with criminal intent. Hackers use hijacked accounts to spread spam and phishing scams. Links may also lead to malware sites where the end goal is stealing online banking credentials or other personal information. You should be especially wary of any link sent to you in a Direct Message.

You can keep track of current risks by following Twitter's @Safety account.

3. Be wary of links
The biggest threat on Twitter is the links. Once you click a link, you could end up anywhere.

Twitter's 140-character limit demands that most URLs be abbreviated. Shortened links - even from Twitterers you know and trust - can present a security challenge. Links from tinyurl, bit.ly and other services could possibly lead you directly to infected files or phishing scams.

You can expand the shortened links at LongUrl. But that doesn’t completely eliminate the risk of landing on a site that has been infected or hacked. To further check a questionable link or site, F-Secure’s free Browsing Protection is a good resource.

Never trust a site that tries to install any software you haven't authorised or pretends to be scanning for malware. If you are seeing persistent pop-ups, or you notice that a new program has installed itself on your PC without your permission, immediately run your Internet security suite.

4. Use strong passwords
Protect your password. You should use different passwords for every account you have and prevent your browser from remembering those passwords. Change your passwords every few months. Once you stop using any e-mail or social networking account, delete it.

Related article: Advice about passwords

5. Assume it's a scam
Someone pretending to be your bank or PayPal or a credit card company may contact you through Twitter. Verify any financial question directly with your institution. Don’t trust anyone that’s asking for financial help or giving you the secret of getting more followers fast. Scams usually seem pretty obvious in retrospect, but the reason they exist is that they work.

6. Protect Your Privacy
A good question to ask yourself before you tweet anything is: Would I say this out loud in a room full of strangers?

Everything you post goes into the public timeline. Never share sensitive or confidential information, including your e-mail address. Tweets about friends, parties and other gossip may be fun at the moment, but your online history lasts forever. Be careful about using Twitter or any social network when you’re mad. Before you tweet anything in anger, take a deep breath. You never know who’s following you.

Source:
F-Secure.com