SOCIAL
TikTok Launches New Cybersecurity Tips Series to Help Users Avoid Scams Around Tax Time
With tax season coming up, TikTok’s looking to help users keep themselves safe online with the latest iteration of its #BeCyberSmart digital tips series.
Partnering with a range of accountants, lawyers, and fraud fighters, TikTok will look to promote a range of tips and tactics that can help users avoid online scams.
As explained by TikTok:
“Last year, the IRS identified over $10 billion in losses from tax fraud and financial crimes. With Tax Day around the corner, cybercriminals may be primed to unleash a range of nefarious tactics — whether on a connected device or a landline — to trick people into unwittingly handing out sensitive information.”
In line with the new push, TikTok is advising users to:
- Ignore imposters – With phishing being one of the most common tactics used to steal personal data, TikTok says that people need to be aware of who they’re sharing their information with. “The IRS will not call, text, email, or visit your home. They will not accept payment in gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency”. TikTok also advises people not to open links or attachments from suspicious senders.
- Verify what you see – With a raft of fake IRS sites popping up all over the web, TikTok says that people need to be extra cautious in their browsing. “The official site is IRS.gov, and all IRS.gov web page addresses begin with http://www.irs.gov/.” TikTok also says that people should only use eCommerce sites that are secured via https.
- Use secure Wi-Fi, VPN, and 2-step verification – This should be a given, considering the amount of personal info we now share online, but if you haven’t activated two-step verification as yet, the tie is now. Also, don’t trust unsecured public wi-fi, “especially in airplanes, airports, malls, or public transit”.
- Have a back-up plan – TikTok says that people should use a secure cloud service or external hard drive to copy important information, like photos and files on computers and mobile devices.
- Protect with a PIN – Finally, TikTok advises people to validate their identity with an Identity Protection PIN where possible.
These and more tips will be featured in the various #BeCyberSmart safety tips, which will be highlighted on TikTok over the next month – while TikTok’s also put together a Bingo card as another way for people to brush up on their cybersecurity skills.
In addition to this, TikTok’s also calling for users to report scam activity if and when they see it.
“Reporting potential scams helps prevent future attempts and protect others. Report IRS, Treasury, or other scam attempts to the FTC, IRS, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, or Identity Theft Resource Center. If you encounter suspicious activity in-app, report it to TikTok’s Safety Center, and follow @TikTokTips for more ways to #BeCyberSmart.”
This is some good, timely advice, and it’s good to see TikTok looking to use its platform to raise awareness of these increasingly common attacks and risks.
You can learn more tips by following the #BeCyberSmart hashtag in the app.
Source link
SOCIAL
Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?
In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.
The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.
According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.
Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.
Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.
The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.
This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.
Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.
As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?
Only time will tell.
SOCIAL
Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach
While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.
When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.
“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.
Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.
“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.”Â
“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.
“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.
Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.
SOCIAL
Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement
Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.
As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.
That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.
Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.
That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.
Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.
Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.
We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.
How 6 SEO Experts Are Navigating Google Update Chaos
Bing Search Testing Removing Cache Link From Search Results
60 Remote Work Stats to Know in 2024
10 WordPress Influencers to Follow in 2024 – WordPress.com News
8 Best WordPress Migration Services (Compared)
Feeling Stuck: What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do
Google Explains How It Chooses Canonical Webpages
More Google March 2024 Core Update Ranking Volatility
31 Ready-to-Go Mother’s Day Messages for Social Media, Email, & More
Google Image Search Adds Pixel Level Object Segmentation Animation
-
PPC6 days agoHow 6 SEO Experts Are Navigating Google Update Chaos
-
SEARCHENGINES6 days agoBing Search Testing Removing Cache Link From Search Results
-
MARKETING6 days ago60 Remote Work Stats to Know in 2024
-
WORDPRESS5 days ago10 WordPress Influencers to Follow in 2024 – WordPress.com News
-
WORDPRESS6 days ago8 Best WordPress Migration Services (Compared)
-
MARKETING5 days agoFeeling Stuck: What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do
-
SEO7 days agoGoogle Explains How It Chooses Canonical Webpages
-
SEARCHENGINES4 days agoMore Google March 2024 Core Update Ranking Volatility
You must be logged in to post a comment Login