In the past week, we’ve seen some big security issues on both Twitter and Facebook. The first big scare was Facebook’s Fan Check application, which many people claimed was hijacking their account. While the jury is still out on whether or not the application was actually spyware, it caused many to accidentally download malware while attempting to find a way to get rid of the application. Then Twitter had a worm that was spread through fake DMs, and shortly afterwards, the focus turned back to Facebook with a worm that is spreading via newsfeed posts.

With so many security breaches of popular sites, people are starting to wonder, just how safe are social networking sites and how can we protect ourselves? While social media can be an excellent way to promote your business, at what price?

Here are a few ways to ensure your security while using sites like Twitter and Facebook, as well as other social media networks.

1. Change your password. If you think you have been the target of an attack or that your account on any social media site has been compromised, change your password immediately. It’s also a good idea to change your password on a regular basis, even if you aren’t sure that you’ve been attacked.

2. Use anti-spyware. A good antivirus and anti-spyware software is a must these days. While some worms and such only affect your online accounts, others will install right onto your computer and glean other information, so it’s important to catch these before they can do any damage.

3. Avoid suspicious messages. Anything that appears to be generic with a link should be avoided at all costs. Nearly all of the worms that are causing problems on social networks these days are posting messages such as, “This video is so funny, you have to watch it!” or “Is this you in this photo?” with a cloaked link. Even if you know the person who sent the message, confirm that they really did send you something before clicking on any of these generic sounding links.

4. Double check URLS. When you are asked to sign into your account, make sure you double check that the URL is where you want to be. Often phishing schemes will use a similar website address, with an identical sign in page to harvest information. Just make it a habit to check the signup page URL to make sure you’re on the right page.

5. Use different passwords. If you use the same password on all your social media accounts, or worse, all your online accounts, including banking sites, then any hacker who gains access to one account can get into every single one that you own. Make sure you keep all your passwords different, even if your username is the same. If you have difficulties remembering, use a notebook by your computer to keep track of everything.

These days, online security is getting harder and harder to maintain. You want to be social and promote your business, but you need to stay safe, too. Following these tips should help you avoid most security issues that you could face on social media sites, but common sense will take you a long way, too.

Were you a victim of any online scams? Please share your story with our readers and tell us how you handled it.