Social media security: protect your online presence

Social media keeps us connected but also exposes us to scams. Follow simple, smart steps to help keep your profile secure.

December 19, 2025

4 mins

Fighting financial crimeAbout Standard Chartered

Social media helps us stay connected and grow our digital presence. But it has also become a space where scammers are taking advantage by impersonating friends or brands to steal personal information.

Being vigilant and taking a few precautions can help protect your accounts, identity, and reputation.

Strengthen your account security

Your account contains personal and financial details that can be misused if hacked. Weak account security can lead to identity theft, fraud, or loss of access to your profile.

Take steps that add an extra layer of safety:

• Avoid using predictable patterns for passwords like names, birthdays, or sequential numbers. Instead, create complex yet memorable passphrases by combining three random words and adding numbers and symbols.
  For example, “tree?Morningfootball3” is far stronger than “John1985!”
• Where available, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) in your app’s settings for extra login protection.
• Turn on login notifications to detect unusual activity.
• Install app updates whenever prompted. These often contain security updates to keep your accounts and devices secure.

Protect your data, privacy and reputation

Oversharing sensitive details and weak privacy settings both increase your risk of identity theft or data misuse.

Here’s how you can help safeguard your personal details:

• Review your privacy settings regularly and tighten them where necessary – most social media platforms let you do this in an ‘account’, ‘settings or ‘privacy’ section.
• Avoid posting sensitive details like your address, workplace, or financial information.
• Delete old or unused accounts that may still hold personal data.
• Limit and regularly review third-party app permissions through your social media or device settings.

Manage your requests and connections

Not all connection requests or messages are genuine. Fake profiles or strangers may attempt to connect with you to gather personal info or launch scams.

Connections or deceptions? Tips to handle them:

• Don’t accept connection requests from people you don’t know.
• Be cautious not to respond to or click on any links in direct messages from accounts you haven’t connected with.
• Regularly review your friend/follower list and remove inactive or suspicious accounts.
• Verify if a profile looks legitimate before engaging – check for real posts, genuine comments, a reasonable follower count, and a verified badge where applicable.

Navigating scams on social media

Scammers are getting creative on social media, posing as familiar faces or trusted organisations to trick people into sharing personal details, or revealing financial information. Being aware of these risks and knowing the precautionary steps to take can help you avoid financial losses.

What you can do to stay protected:

• Watch out for ads or messages promoting offers or giveaways – especially if they ask for money or personal details, or seem too good to be true.
• Avoid sharing live locations, travel plans, or personal routines that can reveal too much publicly.
• Don’t click on links in DMs (direct messages) or comments from unknown accounts claiming prizes or quick profits.
• Report any suspected scam attempts using the platform’s built-in reporting tools, so they can review and take appropriate action.

The digital world changes by the minute. The best protection isn't fear, it's awareness – built through constant learning and vigilance.

Cezary Piekarski

Group Chief Information Security Officer 

Stay alert, stay secure

Social media is a powerful tool, but only if used wisely. By strengthening your account’s security, protecting your data, and managing your connections, you can enjoy connecting with people across the world without putting yourself at risk. Small steps today can go a long way in safeguarding your digital presence and ensuring peace of mind.

If you come across anything suspicious, report it to phishing@sc.com. For more information on reporting and fraud prevention, visit the cyber security and fraud safety page and use the ‘Report Suspected Fraud’ button.