You can still safely enjoy the convenience of being online by staying security savvy. Let's explore how seniors can boost their online security with simple privacy setting tweaks.

1. Limit Who Can See Your Posts

Social media can be a great way to stay in touch with friends and family. However, criminals can also use the information you post to target you. For example, sharing personal details online could make it easier for a bad actor to assume your identity.

Of course, limiting the information you post on social media is essential to preventing your private data from falling into the wrong hands. However, determining who can see your posts is also crucial. Limiting visibility to trusted friends and family members increases your privacy and guards your data against unknown people.

First, check your existing privacy settings to determine who can see your posts. The National Cybersecurity Alliance provides a list of direct links to your security settings on a wide range of websites to help you. Most social media companies and other online profile providers allow you to restrict who can view your profile and limit what strangers can see when they find you online. Some even let you prevent unknown people from sending you direct messages and friend requests, which could be helpful if you're worried about online scams.

2. Restrict Third-Party Access

The range of websites and mobile apps available can make our lives significantly easier. They provide instant answers to questions and offer a constant source of entertainment. However, allowing a third party to access your social media profile could put your data at risk.

There are various ways third-party apps and websites can access your profile. For example, some websites ask for access when you enter a contest. While allowing third parties to see your social media can be handy in some situations, they may not handle your data as carefully as they should.

Fortunately, you can usually restrict third parties from accessing your accounts, even if you've previously given permission. Check your security settings to see which websites and apps link to your account and revoke access to unwanted connections.

3. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication

While the name may sound complicated, multi-factor authentication (MFA) simply means verifying your identity in two or more ways when you log in to an online account. MFA can significantly improve your online safety by making your accounts much more challenging to breach. It increases the chances of stopping unauthorized access, even if a scammer gains access to your password.

Banks, devices and other online account providers use MFA in various ways. For example, your bank might send you an authentication code via text to enter when you log in to your online banking account. Alternatively, your smartphone may run facial recognition or scan your fingerprint to unlock your device.

Some people worry that MFA makes logging in inconvenient. Certain accounts, such as your online banking account, may ask for MFA every time you log in. That's because the harm that can occur if criminals access your account is significant. Other providers may only ask for MFA when there's an increased risk of unauthorized access, such as when you change your password.

To maximize security, you may need to enable MFA on your smartphone or other devices. You'll usually need to open your device's security settings and follow the instructions to set up a second way to confirm your identity. If you're struggling to enable extra security, consider asking a trusted friend or a Hickory Villa team member for support.

4. Turn Off Location Sharing

Your device can automatically share your location with social media platforms, apps and websites. Companies often collect this information to help them determine which ads to show you, but sharing your location could risk your safety — even if you trust the provider. For example, your location information could fall into the wrong hands if your social media platform experiences a data breach. Criminals could use this information to get detailed information about where you live and work and spot patterns in your daily routine.

Some social media platforms allow you to add your location to your posts. Doing so allows anyone who views your posts to see where you are in real time, which could enable criminals to target your home or belongings. You can control who can see your location by changing your security settings through the platform's app or website.

Sometimes, location sharing can increase your safety. For example, you may choose to share your location with a loved one via Family Link or another platform when you're meeting someone new or visiting a new city for the first time. However, it's worth checking which platforms can access your location through your smartphone's security settings. Consider revoking permission for untrusted apps and turning off location sharing altogether when you don't need it.

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