In the US alone, an average person spends roughly two hours on social media, which is why it’s not surprising that a lot of marketing efforts are concentrated on it. And while the ad placements on videos and even posts might seem like white noise for some, they are actually shaping consumers’ buying behaviors.
Social media’s influence on buyer behavior isn’t inherently negative. Still, when security risks start popping up because of it, users need to be extra vigilant and educated about protecting their personal information and online privacy. So, read this article to learn how to stay secure on social media while navigating the constant stream of ads and product recommendations.
The Persuasive Power of the Feed
You might think that liking funny memes or pages related to your interests is just a way to refine your feed preferences and algorithms, but, to one’s surprise, there’s more to it. The posts you like, your searches, and most activities you do on social media serve as references for personalized ads. Because these ads are tailored to suit your habits and preferences, they tend to hit home and make you much more likely to interact with them.
Content creator or influencer recommendations also play a key role in shaping purchasing habits. It makes sense that you would listen to your favorite content creator if they’re endorsing a product. After all, they have already built trust with you and the rest of the followers.
Then, outside direct marketing tactics, trends and social proof also significantly contribute to people’s buying decisions. For example, if you see several of your friends showcasing their insulated tumblers on social media, you might also want to get one to see what all the rage is about. It’s safe to say that concepts such as fear of missing out are greatly amplified in a platform for sharing thoughts and experiences.
The Digital Minefield of Security Risks
It’s nice to know how our purchasing decisions are shaped, but it’s more important to dig deeper into the associated risks. The goal here isn’t to resist the influence but to be a more mindful buyer and overall better decision maker when shopping on social media.
Your Personal Data Is Being Harvested
Let’s start with data privacy concerns.
You should be aware of which specific data is being collected during your social media use and how it’s collected. Seeing ads for things you’ve just considered purchasing, talked about privately, or looked at on another website points to extensive tracking and data linking between different platforms.
Not only is this creepy, but it also raises significant privacy concerns. In particular, it shows how your personal information is being harvested and used for targeted advertising, which often crosses the line of what’s acceptable.
Fake Stores and Identity Theft Schemes
Scams and phishing attempts are also common on social media. It’s disappointing how easy it is to run fraudulent ads to trick people into buying things from sketchy websites. If you suddenly start noticing an increase in these scams, it could be a sign that your data has been compromised. At this point, it’s wise to consider data removal services to regain control over your information.
Such services can help you by cleaning up sensitive personal data that may have been leaked onto data broker sites. They’re also a great way to practice staying safe online, as scammers usually use this information to craft highly convincing phishing attempts.
Essential Steps to Protect Yourself
Whether you’re a mindful shopper or an impulse buyer, everyone deserves to be safe online. So, here’s what you need to do to ensure you don’t fall prey to scams, frauds, or ad manipulation.
Guard Your Personal Information
To boost your cyber defenses, you can start by being cautious of the information you share online. Make sure what you post or include in your profile are only details that you are comfortable with being in the public.
Always Verify Before You Buy
The next step is knowing how to verify the authenticity of a seller or brand. If you see a deal being offered on social media, cross-reference it with deals offered on the official website or other sites to check for consistency. Read customer reviews, and check if the contact information provided is legitimate.
Lock Down Your Accounts
Most people today use several social media platforms and shop from different websites they discover through these apps. Usually, each platform and shopping site requires its own account with login credentials. This creates a major security problem: if you reuse the same password everywhere, a single data breach can compromise all your accounts. That’s why a password manager becomes essential for your protection.
Using unbrute-forceable passwords that the password manager can generate for each of your accounts makes it so that if one platform experiences a leak, your other accounts will be safe. Moreover, many reputable password managers will let you know if any of your credentials have been compromised or exposed in a data breach.
Shield Your Internet Connection
Lastly, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to give yourself extra security when shopping online and browsing social media. A VPN masks your connection and keeps websites and advertisers from seeing where you really are on the internet. By using a VPN, you’ll make it much harder for them to keep track of what you do online on different sites.
VPN connectivity is even more important when you’re using public Wi-Fi like in airports or coffee shops because it keeps hackers from getting your personal information. To protect your privacy the most, pick a VPN service with a good reputation that doesn’t keep logs of what sites you visit.
Shop Smart in the Social Media Age
With personalized ads, suggestions from influencers, and even scammy websites, social media sites will keep going after your wallet. The important thing is to know what you’re buying and keep your information safe while doing so. And who knows, maybe being security conscious might also help you cut down on excessive shopping.
