Almost everyone you speak to will hand you information on their Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn accounts. Social media has become a hub for connecting and networking with others online. Because of this, spammers are using all sorts of schemes to try and get your account information. There are ways to keep your accounts safe and sound from possible hackers.

#1. Keep your password secure. Make sure your password is unique and something only you would know. Never give your password out to anyone.

#2. Don’t give your account information to anyone. Your account information like your e-mail address, username and password is private. Don’t share it with anyone. Your account should be used by you and only you.

#3. Don’t allow applications you aren’t familiar with. Almost every social media website has applications you can use to enhance your experience. These applications request access to your profile and information. If you are not familiar with the application, don’t allow it access to your profile.

#4. Don’t “friend” anyone you don’t know. If someone requests to follow you or be your “friend” on a site, don’t allow the request unless you know the person. This will help keep your social media network private.

#5. Use privacy settings. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and MySpace all have privacy settings. Go into your account settings on each of those sites and customize your privacy settings. It’s recommended to keep your profile as private as possible, only people you know should see your information and updates.

#6. Scan regularly. Scan your computer regularly using your anti virus software and something like Spybot Search and Destroy or Malwarebytes. This will warn you if a privacy threat is present and show you how to remove it.

#7. Don’t use public computers. Do not ever log into a social media website on a public computer at a school or library. Only log into these sites on your mobile phone or your own computer. This will keep your profile safe from potential privacy concerns and potential hackers.