Short Answer 
To enhance privacy on social networking sites, it is essential to validate connection requests by verifying identities through mutual friends or other means. Regularly review and adjust privacy settings, be cautious of geotagging, and maintain skepticism about users’ authenticity to protect personal information.
Step 1: Validate Connection Requests
One of the most important protective measures on social networking sites is to validate connection requests. This involves confirming the identity of individuals before accepting their requests. You can do this by:
- Reaching out to mutual friends to verify their identity.
- Using a different communication method to confirm their authenticity.
- Checking the individual’s profile for inconsistencies or red flags.
Step 2: Be Cautious with Privacy Settings
While adjusting your privacy settings is essential, it’s crucial to remain vigilant. Privacy settings can change, and what was secure yesterday may not be today. Make sure to:
- Regularly review and update your privacy settings.
- Limit access to your information based on your comfort level.
- Be aware of any changes made by the platform that could affect your privacy.
Step 3: Be Wary of Geotagging and Assumptions
Enabling GPS location geotagging can put your privacy at risk instead of protecting it. Additionally, remember that not everyone on social networking sites is who they claim to be. Thus, follow these guidelines:
- Turn off geotagging features to protect your location privacy.
- Assume profiles may not always be genuine or trustworthy.
- Conduct thorough checks if someone seems suspicious.