How to Secure Your Twitter Account

Are you aware of the power of tweeting? If you are, I believe you have been tweeting like it's second nature. Even you may have come a long way to a point where you don't even wanna think about a day without Twitter too. Either if it's a primary social hub, a marketing tool or tweeting for fun, how would you feel to learn your Twitter account has been compromised?

It doesn't necessarily mean that your account has been hacked, but I don't think you would be pleased. However, you can always follow the recovery process to get it back. It can be simple as resetting your password and regaining access, or it may be complicated enough that you won't be able to retrieve your Twitter account.

Did you know that according to Twitter's Inactive Account Policy, if you were inactive on Twitter for 6 months since your last update or login, it can be permanently removed due to prolonged inactivity?

Security!

Twitter provides set of privacy and security features to keep user accounts secure, and been improving their platform in response to new security threats too. Prevention is the best. But when it fails, recovery suppose to have your back.

But at some points, if Twitter can't verify you as the owner, they simply won't be able to help you - even if it's not your fault. If everything fails, they will invite you to create a new account instead.

Thankfully, I've come across such a scenario through a wonderful tweep, and made me think of writing this post.

She did try everything she could to recover hers, but Twitter had no good response for her. I had to spend hours for days with dozens of failed attempts until we could recover her account at last.

It seems Twitter need to assess the worst case scenarios on security threats and recovery, and hopefully they will. Else I don't think anyone would be delighted to let go of their favorite Twitter profile and start another from scratch. Would you?

Secure or Recover?

Securing your Twitter account is your responsibility. If you are not aware of what you can do to improve the security, I will talk about available security settings here.

Most importantly, I'd take it from the aspect of recovery. In that way, you will come to know that some features of Twitter actually increase your chances of recovering your account, and help you keep a safe distance from security threats too.

Actually, you will be helping Twitter Support team to help you back. They will appreciate it.

Secure or recover? Let's talk about both and be prepared.

Mobile

Add Your Phone Number

Connecting your phone number to Twitter account allows you to receive SMS text message updates, and let you play with SMS commands. You may not even interested in those features, since you can access your Twitter account through the mobile app. Hence, adding your phone number may seem unnecessary or not a good idea after all.

But, from the aspect of your account's security, it's vital for the recovery process.

In case if you couldn't login to your Twitter account anymore, and lost access to your email address or didn't receive password reset emails from Twitter, you can be helpless. At such times, even Twitter Support may not be able to help you. Sounds unbelievable, but it's true.

In such a scenario, having your mobile number added to your account can be the only way you can regain access to your account.

If you still couldn't verify your mobile device with your Twitter account, now it would be the best time to add your phone number. Keep in mind that one phone number can only be associated with one Twitter account at a time.

Actually, this step alone can save you a lot of trouble in the recovery process.

Mobile App

Official Twitter Mobile app is another way to keep yourself connected to Twitter on your mobile device. You may not fond of the official Twitter mobile app, but if you do, make sure you are always logged into your Twitter account on your mobile device.

The reason is, in a worst case scenario, Twitter may able to assist you recover your account if you are still logged in via Twitter mobile app.

Alternatively, you can keep yourself logged into Twitter on your mobile device via its mobile website - mobile.twitter.com.

Security and Privacy

Login Verification

Login verification feature exists to assure you're the only one who can access your Twitter account. With this feature turned on, entering your password won't be sufficient to log in. In addition, you will need to enter a verification code too.

Hence, even if someone got to know your password, he / she won't be able to login to your account. It helps you keep your account more secure.

To enable this feature, you need to add your phone number to your account or have official Twitter app (Android / iOS) installed in your mobile device.

Password Reset

When you lost access to your account or forgot your password, you can request a password reset by entering your Twitter username. Then you will receive a password reset email to the email address associated with given username.

But if you have password reset feature enabled, Twitter will require your associated email address or mobile number to be entered prior it sends you a password reset email.

This is not a vital security feature, but it can discourage the intruders whom attempting to find a way to take over your Twitter account.

Discoverability

Discoverability manages how others can find you on Twitter using your personal information. If your friends know your email address or phone number, you can let them find you on Twitter by using those information.

Now let's think like a hacker for a 25 seconds. Shall we?

Imagine if someone wants to hack into your account. The first clue he / she might be interested in finding is: the email address associated with your Twitter account.

Eventhough your Twitter handle is transparent, others doesn't know your email address, password or mobile number associated with your account. But letting others find you by your email address can play into the hands of enthusiast. It's an opportunity for him / her to verify the email address associated with your account. Should we leave the slightest opportunity for bad guys?

Hence, turning off Let others find me by my email address option can take you one step ahead.

However, letting others find you by your mobile number may not impose such a risk. Even if someone knows your phone number, it doesn't give any advantage over you without being able to access your mobile device. Yet, you can turn it off if you don't find that option useful to you or your friends.

Apps

If you are very concerned about the security of your Twitter account, you need to keep your eyes on authorizing third-party apps too. Unless a bad or vulnerable application may end up compromising your Twitter account.

Apps tab let you verify which apps you have authorized to access your Twitter account, and what are the permissions you have granted to each application. If you have signed into a product or service via Twitter, you can see them listed here.

You can simply go through the list of applications and verify the permissions. If you come across any application that you no longer make use of or seem suspicious, use the corresponding Revoke access button to remove / disconnect the app from Twitter.

Further, let me share a helpful tip that may serve you on recovering your account.

If you have given access to Twitter Management Apps such as Twitter Mobile App, Buffer, HootSuite, TweetDeck, you may not wanna revoke access eventhough you don't use them. Keep at least one of such apps connected to your Twitter account. It will come in handy when you can't convince Twitter that you were the owner of your Twitter account.

You may not get WHY, but you will do in case if you lost access to your Twitter account and no other way of recovering.

More?

Now I hope you're aware of what Twitter settings can secure your account, and what actions will benefit you in the recovery process.

If you have been tweeting long enough, I believe you already know Twitter's safety basics too. Anyway, let me remind you of a few basics and be done with it.

● Make sure your email address is secure

● Use a strong password and never share it away online

● Report and block suspicious Twitter accounts you come to know

● Beware of suspicious links you come across via tweets or direct messages

After setting up preferred options and taking necessary actions on securing your Twitter account, ask yourself my question again,

How would you feel to learn your Twitter account has been compromised?


Enjoy :-)