Snapchat is one of the top-rated apps for iOS and Android devices. It has taken the world by storm with its mix of timed photos and videos, while others love the direct access it gives to celebrities and other interested parties.
Its popularity is based on the instant destruction of messages sent between users. People of different ages use Snapchat to send illegal selfies for self-destruction after a certain amount of time. When the recipient takes a screenshot of the message, the sender is notified – but nothing else happens. There are now numerous apps designed to bypass the built-in Snapchat warning and bring serious security and privacy issues.
There are various ways to ensure Snapchat safety, such as blocking someone or when someone blocked you, using two-factor authentication, and so on. If you are wondering, “How can I stay safe on Snapchat?” this guide dives into the details of five key ways in which you can keep yourself safe on Snapchat. Read on to find out.
Friends Only
Snapchat sets your account option to ‘friends’ by default. This is a great starting point for privacy protection. ‘Friends only’ means that only friends you’ve added back can see your snaps or send you theirs.
It’s best to keep it that way. This prevents people who are not on your contact list from seeing your snaps and thus finding out where you go, what you do, and potentially where you live. The idea is to prevent your personal information from falling into the wrong hands.
Snapchat Is Permanent
Snapchat is built on the premise that your Snap is ephemeral. It’s a tiny slice of your life, captured, shared, and destroyed. Except when it’s not.
There are various apps for iOS and Android that capture Snaps without notifying the sender. They are easy to obtain and just as easy to use. Do not be fooled into complacency.
Do you want an example of what happens when this is ignored? In 2014, the SnapSaved website was breached by third-party vendors. The Snappening: hundreds of thousands of Snapchats may have been leaked The Snappening: hundreds of thousands of Snapchats may have been leaked Continue reading. The result? In an event known to have leaked over 200,000 Snaps “The Snappening” (a play on the well-known iCloud – leak known as “The Happening.”
Login Confirmation
Access through unauthorized accounts is a pain. It doesn’t have to be. Snapchat offers two-factor verification for all your devices, which you must turn on. It’s a very simple security step that requires two different methods to prove your identity before logging you into your account. Here’s how you can enable it –
- Open Snapchat on your device.
- Tap the ghost icon at the top of the screen.
- Tap the tooth icon to open the settings menu.
- Scroll down and select Login confirmation.
- Tap Continue.
- Select to confirm via text or an authentication app.
- Enter the confirmation code provided via text or the authentication app.
- You’ll now be logged into your account.
Hide “Quick Add”
Snapchat also has a “Quick Add” option with which friends of friends or people in your phone contact list can easily add you to their friend list. It essentially works the same way as Facebook’s “Suggestions” feature. However, it can open you up to random people who have nothing to do with trying to add you.
To turn it off, go to the settings menu. Scroll down and select See me in Quick Add, then uncheck the box.
Ignore Random Requests
You will often receive requests from random users, even if you have the “Quick Add” feature off. Random requests pose a privacy issue. If you accept a request, they can see your existing Snapchat stories and see what you sent. Delete their request to add you by tapping Ignore when it appears.
If an individual user is asking you to add them (for example, repeatedly adding them after you’ve ignored the request), you can block them. Click on the ghost icon to open your Profile. Below that you will see Added me. Select that. Select the offending user from the list and then the gear icon. Finally, select Block.
In Conclusion
Keeping yourself safe on Snapchat, just like other social media applications is key to your wellbeing. It can prevent you from a host of problems, especially when someone tries to gain unauthorized access to your private information to scam you or use your personal information for some wrongdoing. Such people often also use spy apps to monitor your activities and data and to find out more about how these apps work, you can check out websites like CellTrackingapps.com. Last but not least, we hope these five tips help you achieve peace of mind while using Snapchat.