Social media is the number one ~~time waster~~ online activity with Americans spending an average of 37 minutes per day, according to a recent report.

Here at Social News Daily, we understand just how valuable social networks can be, and just how annoying it is when jerk faces hack into an account.

From Twitter to LinkedIn, there are quick and easy ways to dramatically enhance security, but we must first start with the basics.

Don’t click links that look sketchy, and before logging in, make sure the URL is correct
Watch out for Facebook hoaxes that typically get access to unsuspecting user’s accounts through shady apps
Always use HTTPS when on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks
Stop using horrible passwords. There’s zero excuse with great services like LastPass

Over the past several years, most major social networks have implemented a feature called two-factor authentication, also known as two-step verification.

With the feature enabled, whenever you go to log-in to your account, you will be prompted to also enter a special code that is typically sent through an app or via text message.

This ensures that even if someone had your username and password, they couldn’t get in, unless of course they somehow also had your phone.

Here’s how to quickly enable two-factor authentication on major social networks:

Facebook

Go to https://www.facebook.com/settings
Select “Security” on the left-hand side, and “Edit” next to “Login Approvals”
Check the box next to “Require a security code to access my account from unknown browsers” and then “Save Changes”
Click the “Get Started” button from the pop-up window, and then “Continue”
Facebook will now text a code to the mobile number associated with your account
Enter the code, and click “Continue”

By default, when logging in from an unknown/unauthorized browser, Facebook will send a code through the mobile app.

However, it can also text the code to your phone, which is why it requires you to verify your phone number.

Twitter

Install the official Twitter app for iOS or Android
Select the dotted icon on the top right, and then “Settings”
Tap on your username under “Accounts,” and scroll to the very bottom to “Security”
If you don’t have a phone connected to your account, you’ll see a prompt to “Add Phone” and follow the appropriate steps
Turn “Login verification” on, and tap to confirm
If you don’t have an iOS or Android device, go to https://twitter.com/settings/security and select the box next to “Send login verification requests to my phone”

Google+

Google’s process is a bit more complicated, hence the video walkthrough, but also covers a slew of Google-owned services such as YouTube and Gmail.

Go to https://www.linkedin.com/settings/security-v2/
Check the box below “Secure connection,” and click “Turn on” below “Two-step verification for sign-in”
LinkedIn will prompt you to enter your phone number, which it will then text a code
Enter the code, and click “Verify”
You should now see a prompt that says “Two-step verification is now on and verification codes will be sent to [your-phone-number]”

Unfortunately, Pinterest has yet to add such a feature, so for now it’s best to simply follow the basics.

If you found this post helpful, make sure to click the share buttons below and help your friends keep their social media accounts from getting into the wrong hands!

Photo credit: Brook Ward