11.06.09

Post-Twitter Hack: Social Engagement Guidelines

Posted by Stacy in Business, Digital Marketing, Digital Publishing, Security, Social Media

A follow-up to yesterday’s post on our Twitter phishing hack. Here’s how we all pick up and proceed with caution.

What to do next?
Our Own Little Social Engagement Guidelines
(aka: How to Clean Up and Not Feel Dirty After Getting Hacked on Twitter)

1. Clean thyself. Follow the Twitter Compromised Account settings changes.
2. Notify your partners. Immediately put a status message warning about it.
3. Don’t rush. Take time to read messages and notice URLs.

Gregg Jaffe of Big Teeth Productions says “Those of us getting hacked are not the type to fall for a Nigerian million dollar bank account email, but with the speed at which Twitter travels sometimes we don’t take the time to pay attention to who is sending something, even more when a DM comes from a trusted name.”

It’s hard to slow down in the spin of social media, but Gregg offers this reminder. “The language used in these spam sandwiches tend to be casual and throw you off your game, and before you know it, you’re dipping your chip into a big bowl of hackamole. So, really, if we just stop, take a breath and center our “twi” (twitter chi) we can prevent these attacks from happening in the first place.”

4. Bit.ly and TinyURLs: Use URL previewers.
Our hack-attack was with an unusual URL, but it makes you pause about all shortened URLs. As these are used quite frequently, like us, you would be changing your entire social media strategy by not using them or clicking on them. What both of these well-used URL shorteners provide include:
- You can add + on the end of any bit.ly link for a preview
- Tweetdeck is for Twitter users of bit.ly links and let’s you preview a bit.ly link.
- Bit.ly Preview for Firefox
- TinyURL also offers a preview ability.

5. Be nice. Our most comprehensive rule when it comes to social engagement.
If you are hesitant about something from a source you trust, maybe send them a message first to check. Isn’t all this social media about communicating anyway?

Even if you haven’t experienced a hack on social media, does this affect your experience creating URLs in your news? Are more people likely to go back to pointing to the homepage of their site for news? Tell us in a comment.

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