Keeping Your Social Media Identity Safe
This independent study project, which was approved by Professor Wade Mackey, examines the growing cybersecurity risks connected to social media sites including Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Analyzing real-world cyberthreats like ransomware, social engineering, and password cracking and linking them to weaknesses in people’ online behavior were the main objectives of the research. Through penetration testing laboratories and case studies like the South Carolina Department of Revenue intrusion and the Equifax leak, the project highlights doable solutions like two-factor authentication, physical device protection, and good password habits. The results highlight the fact that, in the digital age, cybersecurity is not only a technological issue but also a personal one. A written report and narrated slideshow were used to present this unpublished project.
I learned from this experiment that even seemingly insignificant behaviors, such as accepting unfamiliar direct messages or reusing passwords, can put users at serious risk. I now see how hackers take advantage of both human error and technological shortcomings, and how taking small precautions can have a significant impact on one’s online safety.