6 Tips To Protect Twitter Accounts From Phishing

Twitter is one of the platforms that is often the target of digital crime (Image Credit: Claudio Schwarz/Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Twitter is a fun place to find inspiration from diverse content, participate in conversations to find useful new hobbies.

However, this excitement often makes users too comfortable so they are careless in maintaining privacy and security in cyberspace. The experience of using Twitter will be more comfortable if everyone stays alert and takes steps to improve security.

These microblogging networks play a role in providing a safer place for people to have conversations and creating healthier public conversations.

In efforts related to security and privacy, Twitter also always reminds people to be responsible for managing their respective Twitter accounts. Here are 6 tips that users can follow to keep their Twitter account secure:

1. Use a Unique Password

Make sure you create a strong password using a minimum of 10 characters which is a combination of uppercase, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Use a different password for each website you visit. Consider using password management software that can securely store all of your login information. Additionally, you can select Password reset protection in your Account Settings.

2. Use Two-Factor Authentication Method

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an extra layer for your account and ensures that only you can access your Twitter account. Only people who have access to your password and mobile number (or security key) can log into your account.

Starting at the end of June 2021, you have the option to use a security key as the only form of two-factor authentication (2FA), which is the most effective way to keep your Twitter account secure.

3. Make sure you are logged in via the official Twitter site

Phishing will always lurk for personal information if people visit fake sites. Phishing web display similar to Twitter log in page is very vulnerable to deceive users.

Twitter also recommends that you double-check any links you open, either from email or Direct Messages, before providing your personal data including passwords. Change your password as soon as possible if it is phishing and read this guide for abused accounts.

4. Beware of those who act in the name of Twitter

Always be alert if someone claiming to be a Twitter representative contacts you and asks for personal data. Keep in mind that Twitter never asks users to provide passwords via email, Direct Messages, or replies.

Do not open attachments or links if you receive a message to install any software, as it is not from Twitter.

5. Beware of Suspicious Login Alerts

Twitter will send notifications via email or push notifications if it detects suspicious activity or when you log into your Twitter account from a new device for the first time.

These notifications usually include a location that is an approximate IP address used to access Twitter. Through this notification, you can verify if you are actually logged in through the device. Otherwise, we recommend that you follow the steps listed in the notification to secure your account, starting with changing your password.

6. Check Existing Links on Twitter (especially if they are shortened with bit.ly)

As a place for conversation to occur, people on Twitter share a lot of interesting information, and many share links to other sites, either through Tweets or Direct Messages. If you see a link using a URL shortener, such as bit.ly or TinyURL, make sure you check the direction of the link before you open it. Use the free plug-ins from Chrome and Firefox to show extended URLs without having to click them first.

Twitter always adapts to the latest conditions and strives to keep user accounts safe and secure. One of Twitter's latest efforts is to add an option to make security keys the only 2FA method. With this update, Twitter invites users to enable security keys for better account settings.