A recent survey by technology consultancy Sophos found that security attacks through social media increased by more than 70 percent last year. As businesses seek ways to interact with potential customers online, many list concerns about these types of attacks as a reason they are reluctant to engage with social media. Seventy-two percent of the companies interviewed for the Sophos study said they were concerned about security vulnerabilities on social networks.
While the malware and viruses that can spread through social networks are cause for concern, they should not stop businesses from leveraging social networking to interact with target customers and learn more about their business. Companies should instead put policies in place that protect users from social media viruses and inform employees about the following best practices for avoiding malware and compromising of sensitive information on social media.
1) Generate a “social media code of conduct” – Companies should explicitly list the activities on social networks that are permissible during the day, and hold employees accountable for their online actions. Employees’ social media use should be limited to promoting the company, interacting with fans that comment on the company, or doing research into trends that are relevant to the company. Identifying specifics of potentially dangerous actions on social networks and providing tips on how to avoid them will lower the chances that the company will be exposed to viruses or hacking.
2) Never download files from social networks – A good anti-virus software will alert users when they are about to download a potentially harmful file. Employees must understand that they should not download files from social media links for any purpose. “Phishing schemes,” where private information is captured by hackers, can be particularly damaging to businesses if financial information is compromised. Keep your business safe by not taking the risk of downloading files that could potentially be dangerous.
3) Restrict the information your employees share – Don’t allow employees to post sensitive data such as any financial information or contact information for senior staff. Employees should be encouraged to share general information about the company and its product offerings on social media communities. Be sure to draw clear guidelines about the type of information you divulge on the networks regarding customers and the inner workings of your business.
