Affiliate marketing Secure affiliation – securing your TikTok account. Part 2
TikTok is undoubtedly a platform that is very popular, both among people who use it for private and commercial purposes. It attracts especially younger audiences, which is known, for example, by marketing agencies directing their advertising activities to it. Video content is more effective than static content, so it’s worth taking advantage of its potential. Unfortunately, no place on the web is fully safe, despite the fact that well-known services use solid security against hacker attacks.
Account theft?
On TikTok, advertising accounts can primarily fall victim to a potential attack. An advertising account is a tool that allows you to promote a brand, product or service. By taking them over, thieves can use the popularity of the account they have built so far, the followers they have gained, in order to promote their own business. It can also be the actions of unfair competition, which launches unwanted campaigns that harm the image of a given company. An account has been compromised can be indicated by an unwanted change to your account password or phone number, a change in your username or nickname, the deletion of existing videos and the posting of new ones, as well as strange messages sent from your account. Phishing is also a popular method of fraud. These are fake messages that are designed to trick the user into revealing their personal information such as password, credit card number, identification numbers, and more. Fake messages can be sent via email, as SMS, in-app messages, or via instant messaging.
Legitimate messages from TikTok never ask for personal information such as your name, contact information, or password. All links need to be checked before opening – whether they look similar to those sent by the real platform, do not contain typos, etc. Do not trust external websites that offer free likes, fans, crowns or coins or other shady benefits.
Privacy above all else
In the Platform Menu, there is a dedicated Settings and Privacy option. You can, for example, change your password – it is worth doing it regularly, using strong passwords, different from those on accounts linked to other platforms. Of course, you will need to reset your password if you suspect that your account has been compromised. It is also a good idea to link your phone number and remove suspicious devices after entering the “Channel Management” option. It’s a good idea to use two-step verification, which provides an extra layer of protection for your account in case your password is exposed. TikTok also monitors suspicious or unauthorized activity, which can be tracked after entering “Security Alerts”. The platform provides its Privacy Policy, which is good to read before making the registration.
On its website, you can find an entire tab dedicated to account privacy along with tips on how to protect it. It is possible to report an account impersonating other people. Then you need to choose the appropriate form (separate for accounts in the United States and outside the United States) and report the possible violation directly to TikTok.
Up-to-date software
Application updates allow not only the use of newly introduced functions, although this is of course a very important aspect for its users. People working on the security of a given platform also carry out updates when they discover vulnerabilities – so it is worth taking care to install them. Over the past year, m.in has been introduced to TikTok’s policy update in the area of account violations. Creators who have broken the rules are informed about what the violation is about and how they can appeal the decision if they believe that a mistake has occurred. In addition, you should keep the browser itself and the software up to date. At first glance, the user may not notice the changes made after the update, because the history, completed tasks, saved settings remain unchanged, only slight modifications in the appearance or adding more options may occur.
The biggest changes, however, concern safety, which will not be visible from the outside. Often, after developers release a software update, hackers compare the old and new versions and only then find vulnerabilities in the previous variant. That is why owners of old software are now most vulnerable to fraudsters. It is worth downloading updates as soon as they are released.
How about a VPN?
VPN stands for virtual private network, which protects your internet connection and online privacy. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for your data, protects your online identity by hiding your IP address, and allows you to use public Wi-Fi hotspots safely. This way you can also use TikTok where access to it is blocked. You will need to start a trusted VPN service and connect to the server of your choice. Sometimes access restrictions to the site can be caused by a firewall at university, work, or dormitory. Some countries also block access to TikTok. A VPN provides protection on public Wi-Fi networks, hides your activities, and limits trackers and pop-ups asking you to accept cookies. A VPN primarily protects against man-in-the-middle attacks, web traffic interceptors, and unsafe Wi-Fi networks. It ensures secure data sharing at home and at work.
When choosing a VPN, it’s a good idea to check if it has a proven track record of unblocking TikTok, especially in regions where it may be restricted or unavailable. Another factor to consider is a fast and stable connection, strong security features like encryption protocols, and a strict no-logs policy. Reputable VPN providers use robust security protocols such as OpenVPN or IKEv2. Finally, it is worth taking into account user feedback. A user-friendly interface that allows you to connect to a server quickly and easily will also come in handy. Keep in mind that free VPNs may offer fewer features and aren’t 100% secure.
TikTok is a great advertising tool as well as a source of entertainment, as long as you use the platform wisely. Especially companies that already have some achievements on this site should take care of issues related to the security of their account. Hackers exploit any vulnerabilities that are fixed by the developers in new updates. Education about online scams can also help you avoid becoming a victim of them.
