In today’s digital age, businesses need to have a strong presence on social media. Platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter) offer powerful tools for reaching potential customers, showcasing expertise, and building brand awareness. However, the increasing need for visibility comes with growing concerns about privacy and the potential risks of hackers gaining access to sensitive information. For professionals who want to keep a low digital footprint while still using social media for business, this presents a unique challenge.
So, how can you strike the right balance between being present online and protecting your personal information? Let’s dive into some of the grey areas and ways to manage both sides effectively.
The Dilemma of Public Profiles for Business
To grow a business or personal brand, having a public profile on social media is often a necessity. Platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram allow businesses and individuals to connect with a wider audience, build credibility, and establish an online reputation. But a public profile also means that more of your information is out there, making it easier for cybercriminals to target you.
What’s the risk? Public profiles, by nature, offer more information to anyone who visits. Details like your location, job history, contacts, and even personal interests can be pieced together by hackers for malicious purposes, including phishing attacks or identity theft.
The solution? While making your profile completely private isn’t an option for most business accounts, there are steps you can take to limit what’s available. For example, on LinkedIn, you can still maintain a public profile for business while restricting certain personal details, like your email address or phone number. On Instagram or Facebook, consider what you share in your posts and bio—focus on professional content, and keep personal information to a minimum.
Be Selective With What You Share
It’s easy to get swept up in the constant need for fresh content, but not everything about your life or business needs to be shared. Hackers often piece together small bits of information from different sources to create a complete profile of their target.
What’s the risk? The more you post, the easier it is for someone to figure out patterns in your behaviour, such as where you frequently travel, who your close contacts are, or even what time you’re likely to be away from your business.
The solution? Be intentional with your content. Focus on promoting your business, products, and professional insights rather than oversharing personal details. For instance, it’s safer to post about events or trips after they’ve happened rather than sharing your location in real-time. Additionally, use the "stories" feature on Instagram or Facebook to share time-sensitive content that disappears after 24 hours, reducing your permanent digital footprint.
Multi-Factor Authentication: A Must
No matter how cautious you are with your social media presence, hackers are always finding new ways to breach accounts. A strong password is no longer enough. If you’re using social media for business, enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) is non-negotiable.
What’s the risk? Without MFA, your accounts are vulnerable to hacking, especially if you use the same password across multiple platforms. If a hacker gains access to your LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram account, they can not only steal personal information but also post malicious content, potentially damaging your reputation.
The solution? Activate two-factor authentication on all of your social media accounts.
Most platforms offer this as an option, requiring a second form of identification (usually a code sent to your phone or email) when logging in. This extra layer of security makes it much harder for someone to gain unauthorised access to your accounts.
Separate Personal and Business Accounts
If you're using social media for business, consider keeping personal and professional accounts separate. While it might seem more convenient to manage everything from one profile, blending the two can expose more personal information than you might want.
What’s the risk? When personal and business profiles are combined, it becomes harder to control the narrative of your public-facing persona. If your personal life is mixed in with your professional content, it’s easier for hackers or other malicious actors to access information they shouldn't.
The solution? Creating separate accounts allows you to maintain control over what information is shared and who has access to it. You can keep your personal social media accounts private, only sharing with trusted friends and family, while using your business accounts for public-facing content. This also helps you maintain a professional image, as clients and customers will see only business-related posts.
Monitor Your Digital Footprint
It’s easy to lose track of what information about you is available online. With business profiles spread across multiple platforms, managing your digital footprint requires consistent effort.
What’s the risk? Even if you’re cautious about what you post, old content or inactive profiles can still hold valuable information. Hackers often target accounts that haven’t been monitored closely, knowing the chances of finding vulnerabilities are higher.
The solution? Regularly audit your online presence. Search for your name and business on Google to see what comes up. If you find outdated or unnecessary information, take steps to remove it. On social media, periodically review your privacy settings, connections, and the content you’ve shared. Deleting or deactivating old accounts that you no longer use can also help reduce your exposure.
Be Mindful of Third-Party Apps
Many of us use third-party apps that link to our social media accounts, from content schedulers to analytics tools. While these apps can be helpful for managing your business profiles, they can also create vulnerabilities if they’re not properly secured.
What’s the risk? Some third-party apps require access to your social media accounts, which means they could be potential entry points for hackers. If the app is compromised, so is your social media account.
The solution? Only use trusted third-party apps, and regularly review which apps have access to your social media profiles. If you no longer use an app, revoke its permissions. This will reduce the number of potential weak spots in your digital security.
Conclusion: Balancing Visibility and Privacy
Using social media for business while maintaining a low digital footprint is a balancing act. The key is to be strategic and intentional about what you share and how you secure your accounts.
By limiting personal information, enabling multi-factor authentication, separating personal and business profiles, and monitoring your digital footprint, you can minimise the risks of being hacked while still reaping the benefits of an online presence.
Staying visible doesn’t have to come at the cost of your privacy—it’s all about taking the right steps to protect yourself in the digital landscape.