How to Check for Social Account Weak Spots and Fix Them with ID Protection

Your Google, Facebook, and Twitter/X accounts contain valuable details about you — your name, photos, location, friends list, and online habits. If your privacy settings are weak or too many third-party apps have access, hackers can steal this info, impersonate you, and even sell your data on the dark web. This puts you at risk of scams, phishing attacks, and identity theft.

The Privacy Checkup in Trend Micro ID Protection helps you find and fix these weak spots. Follow the steps below to:

• Reduce how much you’re tracked online
• Remove risky apps that can see your private data
• Lock your accounts against hackers

Google — Reduce Tracking & Remove Risky App Access

Why this matters: Google collects data for personalized ads by tracking your activity. Hackers or shady advertisers can misuse this profile to target you with scams. Disabling personalized ads limits how much you’re tracked and helps protect your privacy.

Turn Off Personalized Ads

1. Click the Trend Micro ID Protection extension in your browser.
2. Go to the Social Media tab (👍 icon).
3. Select Google: Turn off personalized ads.
4. It will redirect you to Google's My Ad Center page. Sign in to your Google account if prompted.
5. Switch Personalized Ads Off.
6. Click Got it to confirm.

✅ You’ve just reduced how much you’re tracked online, making it harder for scammers to target you.

Why this matters: Third-party apps with access to your Google account can read your emails, view your files, or misuse your info. Removing unwanted apps cuts off that access and reduces your exposure to hacks.

Review App Permissions

1. Open the extension again.
2. Go to the Social Media tab (👍 icon).
3. Go to Google: Review access permissions.
4. Log in to your Google account.
5. Under Third‑party apps & services, find apps you don’t use or recognize.
6. Click Remove Access for each one.
7. Click Got it to save changes.

✅ You’ve blocked suspicious apps from pulling your personal info.

Facebook — Lock Your Account & Stop Unwanted Sharing

Why this matters: Weak passwords or lack of login alerts mean hackers can break into your Facebook without you knowing. Strengthening your security stops account takeovers and identity abuse.

Secure Your Account

1. Open the Trend Micro ID Protection extension.
2. Go to the Social Media tab (👍 icon).
3. Go to Facebook: Secure your account.
4. Sign in to Facebook.
5. Update your password if it’s weak or old.
6. Enable login alerts via Facebook and email.
7. Click Next, then Done.

✅ You’ve just made it harder for hackers to break in and lock you out.

Why this matters: Some apps linked to Facebook can see your posts, profile info, and friends list — and may sell that data. Removing apps keeps your private info private.

Review App Permissions

1. Open the extension.
2. Go to the Social Media tab (👍 icon).
3. Select Facebook: Review access permissions.
4. Sign in to Facebook.
5. Go to Apps and Websites in settings.
6. Remove any app you don’t trust or need.
7. Click Got it to save changes.

✅ You’ve stopped untrusted apps from sharing your Facebook info.

Twitter/X — Control What Apps Can Do with Your Account

Why this matters: Connected apps can post as you, read your messages, or collect data about your activity. If that access is abused, it can lead to impersonation or scams.

Review App Permissions

1. Open the Trend Micro ID Protection extension.
2. Go to the Social Media tab (👍 icon).
3. Select Twitter/X: Review access permissions.
4. Sign in to your Twitter/X account.
5. Go to Connected Apps in settings.
6. Remove anything suspicious or unused.
7. Click Got it to confirm.

✅ You’ve limited who can control or see your Twitter/X account activity.

💡 Pro Tip: Do this Privacy Checkup every month. Social media platforms change settings often, and new apps may get access without you noticing. Regular checks keep your accounts secure, your identity safe, and your personal data off the dark web.