Snapchat is a fun and creative way to connect with friends and family from across the globe, but it also poses risks as a playground for scammers. If you let your guard down and fail to secure your account, you could fall victim to anything from various forms of sextortion to full account takeovers, putting your personal and financial security at risk.
These cybercriminals deploy various tactics on Snapchat, from impersonating influencers to embedding malicious links. They exploit trust and information of their targets for various types of extortion including online blackmail. Taking steps to secure your Snapchat profile is essential to safeguarding your digital presence.
How to Lock Down Your Snapchat Profile
Securing your Snapchat account is a step you must take to control your digital safety. If someone tries to access your account or target you on the application, follow these steps to add an extra layer of security:
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your Snapchat account. You can set it up in the Snapchat app using SMS or an authentication app. Once enabled, Snapchat will require a code each time you log in from a new device.
However, hackers can bypass SMS authentication if they are able to hack your phone or other device. This is why we suggest enhancing your security by using an authentication application like Google Authenticator or Okta instead of the SMS option.
To set up the 2FA on Snapchat, follow these steps:
- Tap ⚙️ in My Profile to open Settings
- Tap ‘Two-Factor Authentication’
- Tap ‘Continue’
- Select ‘SMS or ‘Authentication App’ as your verification method
Adjust Your Snapchat Privacy Preferences By Using Snapchat’s “Who Can…” Settings
Snapchat’s “Who Can…” settings allow you to control who can contact you, view your story, or see your location. By default, only friends can interact with your profile, but you can further customize these settings for maximum privacy:
- Tap the gear icon⚙️ under your account info.
- Scroll to the Privacy Controls section.
- Adjust settings like Who Can Contact Me, View My Story, and See My Location to limit access.
Be Careful How You Access Snapchat
As an added method to protect your account, you should take special considerations when accessing the application. Firstly, avoid sharing your password or verification codes. Secondly, refrain from logging into your account on devices you do not own. And, finally, review your login activity in the app’s settings on a regular basis.
Understanding Snapchat Profiles and Visibility
Snapchat profiles are a crucial aspect of the app, allowing users to showcase their personality, interests, and creativity. Your profile on Snapchat is where you can express yourself through your Bitmoji, profile picture, and bio. However, understanding how visibility works on Snapchat is essential to maintaining control over who can see your content. By default, only friends can view your Snapchat Stories, but you can adjust your privacy settings to allow everyone or specific friends to see your content. This flexibility ensures that you can share your moments with a broader audience or keep them within a close-knit circle.
Additionally, Snapchat’s ephemeral nature means that Snaps and Stories disappear after 24 hours, adding an extra layer of privacy to the app. This feature allows you to share short videos and photos without worrying about them lingering indefinitely. However, it’s still important to be mindful of what you share, as screenshots can still be taken. By understanding and utilizing these visibility settings, you can better manage your audience engagement and maintain your desired level of privacy on this dynamic social media platform.
Recognizing And Avoiding Snapchat Scams
Snapchat’s disappearing messages make it an appealing application for scammers. While Snapchat notifies users when someone screenshots or saves their Snap, third-party programs and external devices can provide a workaround. Awareness of these schemes and techniques can help you avoid becoming a victim.
Types of Snapchat Scams
These are some of the more popular scams reported by both Snapchat and other organizations that help handle cybercrime.
- Romance Scams
Scammers use fake photos and videos of attractive people to create the illusion of a romantic or sexual connection. Once they can catfish you and gain your trust, they may request money, gift cards, or intimate content. This will lead to extortion and online blackmail all of which is financially motivated. - Meet Up Scams
This tactic is often tied to romance or escort scams. Meet up scams involve promises to meet in person to extort. Exploiting emotions the scammer extracts money or personal information without the intention of ever following through with their promises to meet IRL. - Celebrity/Influencer Impersonation
This scam has been making headlines, with scammers creating fake accounts to impersonate celebrities and influencers. The scams involving these impersonations can range from fake charity donations to investments and even fake romances. - Phishing Scams
Scammers disguise malicious links in snaps or stories as freebies or exclusive opportunities. Clicking these Phishing links and entering your details can give scammers an in to your account and personal device. - Stalking
Definitions of what is considered “stalking” vary from case to case, from simply viewing someone’s entire Story when you have no connection to them, to more extreme behavior such as frequently screenshotting their posts or sending constant messages despite a lack of response.
How to Know If Someone Is Targeting Your Snapchat Profile
Snapchat has a couple of ways that it keeps users informed concerning what is happening on their feeds. Snapchat shares insights such as who viewed your Story, if someone took a screenshot, if someone replayed a Snap, and location data of users via Snap Map.
Additionally, Snapchat+ subscribers can see how many friends rewatched their Story, providing even more detailed insights. Generally, you can determine whether someone is paying above-average attention to your online activity if they are:
- Watching all your Snap Stories habitually, often shortly after they are posted.
- Replying/messaging you frequently without a response.
- Finding you in real life by using data provided by the Snap Map.
- Inquiring about your real-life whereabouts on the platform without having prior plans to meet with you.
- Regular screenshots of Stories or Snaps from your Snap Story and/or sent to an individual personally.
Luckily, Snapchat lets you know if someone took a screenshot of anything on the app, so you can stay informed about who is archiving the media you’ve shared with the platform. However, Snapchat does not share data about who has checked your location on the Snap Map, so you will have no way of knowing whether someone viewed your location if you choose to leave this information public.
Always keep in mind that if you are choosing to keep your location set to public, any of your friends on Snapchat will be able to see where you are in real-time, a feature that updates every time you open the app.
How to Avoid Snapchat Scams
Staying safe on Snapchat requires a combination of common sense, awareness, and caution. Here are some tips to help you stay safe on the app:
- Be cautious when sharing personal information: Avoid posting details like your home address, phone number, or other sensitive information that could compromise your safety. Never send money to anyone you meet via Snapchat.
- Think before you share photos or videos: Remember that even though Snaps and Stories disappear after 24 hours, screenshots can still be taken. Share content that you’re comfortable with potentially being saved.
- Avoid engaging with strangers: If someone you don’t know adds you or sends you messages, be wary. Don’t click on suspicious links from unknown users. It’s best to interact only with people you know and trust.
- Use Snapchat’s built-in privacy features: Adjust your privacy settings to protect your account. Enable Ghost Mode to hide your location and use the blocking feature to prevent unwanted interactions.
- Keep your account secure: Use a strong, unique password for your Snapchat account and change it regularly. Enable two-factor authentication for an added layer of security. Keep your email and phone number associated with your account updated.
- Report suspicious behavior: If you encounter any abusive or suspicious activity, report it to Snapchat’s support team immediately. They can take action to protect you and other users.
Reporting and Blocking Accounts
While reporting and blocking a scammer prevents further contact, it does not stop snapchat blackmail. Cybercriminals often have more than one fake account which helps them reach back out to threaten of expose you. It also can cause delays if you are working with law enforcement or any cybersecurity professional. Instead, silence the notifications and await instructions on how to proceed.
Recovering A Compromised Snapchat Account
If your Snapchat account has been compromised (or “hacked”) by someone, you will notice these signs:
- Spam sent from your account
- A notification that someone logged into your account from a different location, IP address, or device
- Having to re-log in to the app continually
- New contacts being added to your list without your permission
- The mobile number or email address associated with your Snapchat account was changed without your consent.
If this happens, change your password immediately and contact Snapchat support. Keep in mind that their representative will need to verify your identity but will never ask for your password or My Eyes-Only passcode. If you have been locked out and your phone number changed, you’ll need to include this in your report to Snapchat.
Additional Snapchat Safety Tips Form Digital Forensics Corp.
Remember to review your account activity frequently to maintain security. If you put into practice everything you learned in this article, you will be able to have a fun and safe experience on Snapchat.
And if the worst happens, call our 24/7 Blackmail Helpline for immediate assistance. We know what to do If someone is blackmailing you on Snapchat and how to protect your online presence from scammers.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Dr. Viktor Sobiecki
Currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Digital Forensics Corporation, where responsibilities span the leadership of advanced cybersecurity initiatives, data breach incident responses, and corporate strategic planning.
