Although I\u2019m generally an early adopter of most new social media networks when they come out (go figure, I\u2019m a shameless #Millennial), I was an Instagram curmudgeon for a while. But after giving it a go, its ease of use and brilliantly minimal interface completely won me over, and now I\u2019m an InstaAddict.<\/p>\n
Being a visual social network centered entirely around sharing photos, Instagram is a natural favorite of those who love to share life\u2019s every detail with friends and fans, so trying to secure your account might seem like splashing cold water on the whole idea.<\/p>\n
Not so, InstaAddicts! Read on for 5 things to keep in mind for keeping your information safe on Instagram.<\/p>\n
When you\u2019re filling out your profile, there are a few fields toward the bottom that Instagram designates as \u201cprivate information.\u201d<\/p>\n
When disclosing this kind of information, less is more. According to Instagram\u2019s Privacy Policy, even though your phone number is marked as private, it\u2019s used by the service to help you be \u201cfound\u201d on the network.<\/p>\n
So anyone who happens to have your phone number could use it to try and find your personal Instagram account if you have this information included. Better to leave it out.<\/p>\n
Sometimes it seems like half the fun of posting a great photo to Instagram is tagging the location, especially if it\u2019s somewhere bragworthy from a recent vacation.<\/p>\n
But as you\u2019re going about your more mundane life, perhaps posting from a few regular haunts day after day, remember that you\u2019re sharing precisely where \u2013 and often when \u2013 you can be found, with complete strangers (if your profile is set to Public).<\/p>\n
Just as it\u2019s not a great idea to post a public message on Facebook detailing that your home will be empty for weeks while you\u2019re on vacation, go easy on location-tagging your Instagram posts, especially if you tend to share your photos in the moment.<\/p>\n