As an Instagram blogger, your online presence is key to connecting with your audience as well as sharing your passion. Along with all of this, it is important to prioritize online safety to protect your personal information. This also goes hand in hand with maintaining a secure and positive digital environment.
In this blog post, we will talk about 10 essential online safety tips specifically tailored for Instagram bloggers. From privacy settings to secure passwords, you will learn how to prioritize proper online security on Instagram to keep yourself safe.
Table of Contents
Tip 1 – Keep Your Account Private
While this may not be an effective way of gathering followers, setting your Instagram account to private is the first line of defense in protecting your online safety. This method will not protect you from any cyber attacks or password leaks, but by doing so, you do ensure that only approved followers can view your posts.
This can limit bots and other spam accounts from following you and potentially sending you harmful messages. This also prevents unauthorized access to your personal information and content. You can easily enable this setting by navigating to your account settings and toggling the Private Account option.
Tip 2 – Be Mindful of What You Share
While sharing personal moments is part of being a blogger, it is crucial that you remain cautious about what you post. Avoid sharing sensitive information such as your address, phone number, work history, social security number, and credit card numbers.
Keep in mind that once something is online, it can be impossible to completely erase it, and information like this can easily lead to you getting stalked or robbed.
Tip 3 – Use Strong Passwords
This is basically a universal tip if you wish to stay safe on Instagram. Creating a strong and unique password is fundamental. You can opt for a randomly generated password that you can generate and store in a third-party app. Alternatively, you can choose a combination of upper and lowercase letters and numbers.
Avoid obvious choices and use different passwords for each online account. If another account’s information gets leaked, your associated accounts with the same password are also likely to be compromised.
Tip 4 – Enable Two-Factor Authentication
This one provides another secure layer for most online applications. By enabling it, you add an extra step to the login process, which requires you to input a verification code in addition to your password.
This code is usually sent to your registered mobile number or generated by an authenticator app. Activating two-factor authentication significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your account, as only you will have access to the code, assuming you do not lose your phone!
Tip 5 – Be Wary of Suspicious Messages and Links
Even if you go private, there is always the chance that you may receive messages and comments from unknown individuals. Exercise caution when engaging with them, especially if they send suspicious links or requests for personal information. Make a habit of not downloading attachments from untrusted sources, as they could lead to malware infections or phishing attempts.
Those who send harmful content have one goal: steal your personal information to later use it to their advantage, and it’s only natural if you want to find out who stands behind this malicious activity. Here’s what you can do:
- Google their user name. Yes, just Google. Some search results may contain information about the person, and it will help you know who they are and what they usually do to deceive internet users.
- If their phone number is listed in their account, reverse search the number on PhoneHistory.
Tip 6 – Be Cautious with Third-Party Apps and Services
While third-party apps and services can enhance your Instagram experience, be selective in granting them access to your account. You should only use reputable and trusted apps with positive reviews and a good track record when it comes to security. Before authorizing any app, you should carefully review the permissions it requires.
Tip 7 – Be Selective with Tagged Photos
Tagged photos can appear on your profile, potentially revealing your location or personal connections. Take control by setting your account to manually approve tagged photos before they are displayed on your profile. This allows you to review and manage the content associated with your page, protecting your privacy.
Tip 8 – Educate Yourself About Privacy Settings
To maximize your online safety, familiarize yourself with Instagram’s privacy settings and options. Attempt to stay informed about the latest updates and features that you can use to enhance your security. Regularly review and adjust your privacy settings and ensure you have the appropriate amount of control over your account and the content you post.
Tip 9 – Be Mindful of Geotagging
Geotagging is yet another tool that can reveal your exact location to others. Exercise caution when using this feature on Instagram, especially when tagging locations such as your home. Consider using more general location tags, disabling geotagging, or simply using it when in a public location when close to leaving.
Tip 10 – Monitor and Moderate Your Posts
Engaging with your audience through posts is an integral part of being an Instagram blogger. However, it’s essential to monitor and moderate your own posts to ensure they align with your guidelines and the platform’s community standards.
Promptly remove any inappropriate or offensive posts that can get you banned. Foster a safe and welcoming environment by engaging in positive and constructive posts for your audience.
Conclusion
Regardless of what application you are using, prioritizing online safety is essential to protect your personal information. By paying close attention to the ten above-mentioned essential online safety tips, you should be able to maintain a safe and secure blogging experience on Instagram.
Just make sure to stay vigilant and be mindful of your actions. Also, make a habit of staying informed about the most important updates to safeguard yourself and your content as you continue your blogging journey on the platform.
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