8 Security Essentials for Managing Your Online Presence

In today's interconnected world, managing your online presence is crucial for maintaining both personal privacy and professional integrity. This is particularly important if you're an election official, as this role demands a high level of security due to your public exposure.

But how do you get started?

The Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center^® (EI-ISAC^®) created a guide to help simplify the process for election officials like you. It provides actions for securing your social media accounts, safeguarding your personal information, and maintaining a professional online presence. In this blog post, we’ll review eight security essentials discussed in the guide. First, we'll examine the election cyber threat landscape.

Threats Confronting Election Officials

The Center for Internet Security^® (CIS^®) Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) and Countering Hybrid Threats (CHT) analysts assess with high confidence that election officials, poll workers, and candidates nationwide will be targeted with threats online and in-person. Additionally, online rhetoric, inaccurate information, and malign narratives are likely to influence threat actors to target the U.S. electoral system and companies facilitating elections. Foreign influence operations will likely seek to further spread these narratives on social media to take advantage of existing societal divisions, advance their own political goals, and increase distrust in the U.S. election process.

Of primary concern are lone offenders inspired by ideological causes or personal grievances to target government officials, institutions, or facilities. With this threat in mind, let's now take a look at how you can stay safe online.

 

1. Secure Your Social Media Accounts

By securing your social media accounts, you take a fundamental step to protecting your personal information and preventing unauthorized access. Here are key practices to enhance the security of your accounts:

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-Factor authentication (MFA), also called two-factor authentication (2FA), adds an extra layer of security by requiring two or more verification methods to log in. Common methods of MFA include SMS-based verification, authenticator apps, and hardware security keys. While SMS-based verification is convenient, authenticator apps and hardware keys provide a stronger level of security.

Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Long passphrases consisting of simple, easy-to-remember words are more secure and user-friendly than complex passwords. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple accounts to reduce the risk of widespread compromise in the event of a breach. Consider using a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords for each account.

Be Wary of Phishing Attempts

Phishing attacks on social media are common. Be cautious of suspicious messages, especially those that create a sense of urgency or come from unknown senders. Verify the authenticity of messages requesting personal information or login credentials.

2. Secure Your Email Account

Your email account may connect with various social media platforms, and it is a primary target for attackers. Implement the same security measures, such as strong passwords and 2FA, to protect your email account. Regularly monitor account activity and update software to mitigate vulnerabilities.

3. Regularly Update Your Software

Keep your apps and operating systems up to date to maintain security. Most devices allow for automatic updates, which ensure you receive the latest security patches and improvements. For iOS devices, you can enable automatic updates through the settings menu. Android users can set auto-updates through the Google Play Store settings.

4. Use Secure Networks

Avoid logging into social media accounts on public Wi-Fi networks, which are susceptible to Man-in-the-Middle attacks and malicious hotspots. A virtual private network (VPN) can encrypt your internet traffic and protect your data from interception, thus enabling you to safely access the internet in public. However, when in doubt, use a cellular data connection and avoid public Wi-Fi networks.

5. Monitor Account Activity

Regularly check your login history and account activity to detect any unauthorized access. Most social media platforms offer tools to view recent logins and account changes. Additionally, use services like HaveIBeenPwned.com to monitor if your personal information has been exposed in data breaches.

6. Manage Privacy Settings

Adjust privacy settings on your social media accounts to control who can see your information and posts. Limit who can tag or mention you to reduce unwanted attention and potential harassment. Turn off location services for social media apps to prevent your location from being shared unintentionally.

7. Separate Personal and Professional Accounts

Clearly delineate between personal and professional social media accounts to maintain a professional image and protect personal privacy. Use different devices for personal and professional activities to avoid accidental cross-posting. Regularly review and manage followers on personal accounts to ensure that only trusted contacts have access to your information.

8. Discuss Online Privacy with Family Members

Election officials like you are often targeted not just directly but also through their family members. To ensure comprehensive security, it is essential to discuss online privacy and security practices with your family. Inform family members about the potential risks associated with sharing personal information online, such as identity theft, phishing, and cyberstalking.

Protect Your Security and Privacy Online

Cyber attackers, foreign nation-state actors, and people with ill intent can use a unsecured and poorly managed online presence to steal your data and cause you harm. By implementing the security essentials discussed above, you can significantly enhance your online security and privacy. 

Want to further protect your online presence?