Cybersecurity for Influencers: Allowing your Brand to Thrive Securely
I have written this for my fave social media folks who have attempted to teach me how to do my eyebrows properly, cook the best lemon and ricotta tart in the world and shown me the difference between wearing an outfit and styling an outfit. I have failed at all three but appreciate the inspiration. Whether you’re a bookstagrammer, baker or smelly candle maker, if you have a following that’s important to you and income streams flowing because of them, this post is for you.
With your substantial online presence and large follower base, you are attractive targets for cybercriminals. Risks include losing access to your social media accounts or having them contaminated with content you didn’t put out. Your carefully grown email list is also vulnerable to effectively being deleted, as is your website, content files and more. You are also at risk of falling victim to ransomware - a particularly nasty attack where a hacker holds your files hostage for a hefty fee.
Not for you?
Thought so, that’s why I’ve written the below essential cybersecurity tips tailored to you:
1. Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Strong Passwords
Using strong and unique passwords for all your online accounts is the first step in securing your digital presence. Avoid common passwords and make sure your passwords include a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Enable two-factor authentication for all your accounts, especially social media and email. 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification (e.g., a code sent to your phone), in addition to your password. This makes it significantly harder for hackers to gain access to your accounts.
2. Secure Your Email
Your email is often the gateway to your other accounts. Ensure that your email account is well-protected by using a strong password and enabling 2FA, as above. Be cautious of enticing phishing emails that attempt to trick you into revealing personal information or clicking on malicious links. These can be disguised as brands you’d want to work with, other influencers you are associated with or random but enticing links, e.g. your iCloud storage has run out and you need to pay $2.99 for more storage (yes, I fell for it!).
3. Be Cautious with Third-Party Editing Apps
Third-party apps can enhance your social media experience, but they can also pose security risks. Only grant access to apps from reputable developers and review the permissions they request. Regularly audit and revoke permissions for apps that you no longer use or that seem suspicious.
4. Protect Your Devices
Regular Updates
Keep your operating systems, applications, and antivirus software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that protect against the latest threats.
Device Encryption
Encrypt your devices to protect your data in case they are lost or stolen. Encryption scrambles your data, making it unreadable without the correct decryption key. Your phone might already do this but give the model a Google to learn how, if not.
5. Secure Your Social Media Accounts
Privacy Settings & Awareness
Review and adjust the privacy settings on your social media accounts to control who can see your posts and personal information. Be aware of the amount of personal information you share publicly and how each piece can build a puzzle that reveals where you live, where you go and other vulnerabilities that allow a cybercriminal, or other, multiple ways to manipulate and attack you online.
Monitor Account Activity
Regularly check your account activity for any unauthorized access or suspicious behavior. Most social media platforms offer tools that allow you to see active sessions and recent login locations.
6. Educate Yourself and Your Team
If you have a team that helps manage your online presence, ensure they are also aware of cybersecurity best practices. Regularly educate yourself and your team on the latest security threats and how to mitigate them. I’d love to help through my regular newsletter and free guide, available via the footer.
While we’re here - always revoke access to your accounts when somebody stops working for you. If anything, it stops you incorrectly accusing them should anything go wrong.
7. Backup Your Data
Regularly back up your content and important data to a secure location. This ensures that you can recover your information in case of a cyberattack or hardware failure. Use both cloud-based and physical storage solutions if you can. Remember that even the big boys in the social media arena arent’ guaranteed to be there forever so don’t use them as the only memory log.
8. Responding to a Security Breach
Immediate Actions
If you suspect that your account has been compromised, act quickly. Change your passwords, enable 2FA, and notify your followers about the breach. Contact the platform's support team for assistance in securing your account.
Learn and Adapt
After a security incident, review what went wrong and take steps to prevent it from happening again. This may involve updating your security practices, using new tools, or seeking advice from cybersecurity professionals.
As an influencer, your digital world is your brand, and sometimes livelihood. Protecting it requires vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard against threats, but by implementing the above practices, you can significantly improve your security and focus on creating great content.