#EdTechTeacherChallenge - January 2020: Twitter, Day 3

Check Your Privacy and Security Settings

Since we are talking about Privacy and Security today, now is a good time to review Twitter's Rules and Policies (found here). You can also view Safety & Security guidelines here. Both links are full of great information regarding what you can and cannot do on Twitter, what to do if you have an issue such as hacking and how to maintain your privacy while using social media.

Twitter Profile Menu

For today's challenge, you will need to click on your Profile menu and then click on "Privacy &
Security". This will take you into your account settings.

First, note the location of "Password". You will want to change your password about every six (6) months. Make sure that you do not recycle passwords. A good way to create a password is to choose an adjective, choose an object, and choose a random three (3) digit number, such as PinkTiger904.

Next, click on the "Security" link that is under "Password". This gives you two additional security measures you can take to keep your account secure. The first is Two-Factor Authentication. This option forces an additional task at sign in beyond entering your password. The easiest to use if you don't want to download additional apps on your phone, is the "Text" option. The Text Two-Factor Authentication, once you enter your password, you will be prompted to send a text message to your phone with a security code. Enter that code into the popup window and you will be taken into your feed. Yes, it's an added step, but in this day and age, you want to protect yourself in as many ways as you can.

If you already use an Authentication app, you might want to choose this option. An authentication app works in a similar way to text, accept the code comes through the app not your text messages.

A third possible Two-Factor Authentication option is a Security Key. This is a physical USB type device that inserts into your computer or syncs with your mobile device when you log into Twitter using a web browser. Twitter says, however, that this option is not available at the moment when logging into the mobile app.

After you choose your Two-Factor Authentication option,  click on the "Privacy and Security" link under "Account". There is a lot of option for you to consider here. You should read through all of them and make choices based on your comfortability and how you intend on using Twitter. Here are some of my suggestions:

* Do not turn on "Receive Messages from Everyone".  If you do, you leave yourself open to receive direct messages from random people. With this option clicked OFF, only Followers can direct message (DM) you. Of course, you never have the option to respond to messages you get AND you can always report and block users that send inappropriate messages.

* Do turn on "Quality Filter". This directs low quality DM away from your requests.

* Do turn on "Show Read Receipt". This lets people know when you've seen their DM and vice versa. If you turn it off, you will not be able to see whether they've read your DM or not.

* Do not turn on "Display media with sensitive content". Whenever you see a post that has been flagged as containing sensitive content, Twitter will prompt you to click if you wish to view it. If you turn this option on, anything flagged as sensitive content will automatically display if you happen on it in your feed.

Privacy and Security are complicated but vital pieces to using social media successfully and appropriately. Taking a little time now to learn how to protect your Privacy and Security while learning how to use Twitter, can save you a lot of headache later on. Good luck. Be sure to check back tomorrow when we take a look at "Notification Settings".