Don’t get hacked, bestie. ♥

Why You Should Care About Your Privacy and Security Online

Hey friends,

Let’s be so for real — we all know someone that's been hacked. Whether your mom's friend from your hometown randomly messages you on Facebook selling Raybans, or you start seeing spammy posts from a reality TV star-turned-IG model, someone you know or know of has had their information stolen and their online presence infiltrated. If it can happen to them, it can definitely happen to you.

1. Identity Theft Is Real

Your identity is more valuable than you think. Hackers can piece together info like your full name, birthdate, and even details from your social media to steal your identity. They can open accounts, mess with your credit, and cause a huge headache that can take years to fix.

2. Watch Out for Phishing

Ever get a weird email or text that looks just real enough to make you think it's legit? That’s phishing! Scammers try to trick you into clicking links or sharing passwords. It's sneaky and really common. If something feels off, don’t click anything until you double-check the source.

3. Data Breaches

You can do everything right on the internet and the companies you trust your data with can still get it wrong. When companies leak data or have it stolen, it's called a data breach. It's not your fault, but it happens. Using different login info for each site will help control how badly the breach affects you.

So, What Can You Do?

Get Creative with Your Passwords: Stop using “password123.” I know it’s easy, but it's easy to hack. Use strings of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords for every site.

Turn On Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): It’s a pain sometimes, but two-factor authentication adds a whole extra layer of security by requiring you to verify your login on your phone or authenticator.

Think Before You Share: Really think hard about what and who you're sharing online. Be mindful of what you post online. Sharing too many personal details (like your location, or those fun “What’s your birth month and pet name” quizzes) can make you an easy target for scammers.

For more info, check out this guide from Norton on phishing, or this FTC article to keep your info safe.

Take care of yourselves (and your data)!

xo,

Meghan

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