Social Media Safety Tips

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What to do when you’re a victim of crime…

  • DO NOT: delete the perpetrator(s) and their related 3rd parties [friends, family] off of social media sites as they may contact you and provide more evidence for your case
  • DO NOT: respond to contact from perpetrator(s) and their related 3rd parties, including texts, in-app messages, e-mails, etc.
  • DO: allow calls from perpetrator(s) and related 3rd parties to go to voicemail
  • DO: take screenshots and record any contact perpetrator(s) and related 3rd parties make, including texts, Facebook/Instagram/Tumblr/Twitter/Google/e-mail messages
  • DO: change your privacy settings on all social media accounts to only friends, or restrict certain individuals from seeing what you post
  • DO NOT: post information about the crime online, including commenting and messaging about it
  • DO: choose a passcode for your phone, laptop, tablet, etc.
  • DO: download a free anti-malware, tracking, and spyware security system for your devices, including MalwareBytes, Webroot, Kapersky, etc.
  • DO: set an auto-lock timeout on your devices which will enable your devices to lock when inactive
    • iPhone: Settings>Display and Brightness>Auto-Lock
    • Android: Settings>Location and Security>Screen Lock
  • DO: enable your devices to erase data after multiple failed passcode attempts
    • iPhone: Settings>Touch ID and Passcode>Erase Data
  • DO NOT: allow your device to show previews of your text messages
    • iPhone: Settings>Notifications>Messages>Show Previews>Off
    • Android: Settings>Privacy>Uncheck Display Message Text
  • DO NOT: allow your phone to record typed information (names, credit card information)
    • iPhone: Settings>General>Reset>Reset Keyboard Dictionary
  • DO: protect yourself on the web:
    • iPhone: Settings>General>Safari> enable…
      • Fraudulent Website Warnings
      • Do Not Track
      • Block Pop-Ups
      • Disable AutoFill of passwords, names, etc.
    • Google Chrome: Settings>Privacy>Do Not Track
    • Internet Explorer: Settings>Internet Options>Privacy Settings
  • DO: limit posting your location online:
    • iPhone:
      • Settings>Privacy>Location Services>System Services>Frequent Locations> OFF
      • Turn off Bluetooth if possible
      • Consider turning off “background app refresh” to avoid apps tracking your location: Settings>General>Background App Refresh
      • Turn off location sharing for specific apps that a perpetrator(s) may have access to: Settings>Privacy>Location Services
      • Turn on the status bar when services request your location so you are aware when location is being attempted: Settings>Privacy>Location Services>System Services>Status Bar Icon
    • Facebook: avoid checking in at businesses, untag yourself from posts/pictures revealing your current/common locations
  • DO: download safety applications on your phone that alert your friends to where you’re at and alarms them when you haven’t responded
    • iPhone & Android: REACT Mobile, StaySafe, On Watch, Circle of 6, bSafe

For more information or to speak with a Victim Advocate, please call 407-254-9415.