October’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month is coming to close but this past month has officially powered up the folks over at TikTok. The platform just rolled out a batch of snappy tips-videos and scam-avoidance guidance aimed at helping everyday users stay sharp and dodge those lurking digital traps.
Why now? Because the digital crime stats aren’t pretty
According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) — yes, that’s the FBI’s cyber-complaint hub — consumer losses in 2024 hit a jaw-dropping $16.6 billion. So yeah: Now’s a good time to be more than just “on-guard”.
What TikTok’s bringing to the table
- They’ve launched a series of short, 8-bit-video game–themed clips on their @TikTokTips account, think of it like retro arcade graphics meeting “don’t get hacked” advice.
- The content is intentionally breezy and snack-sized, which suits TikTok’s format and helps the advice actually land.
- Alongside the videos, they’ve published textual prompts and questions to get users reflecting on their own security-habits.
- And they’re ramping up takedowns: more spam, fake accounts and scam-ads are being removed in efforts to cut off activity at its roots.
TikTok’s also shared a range of cybersecurity tips and pointers to help users avoid scams:
Why you (yes, you) should care
If you’re active on TikTok, or any social app reall, these updates can help you become less of a target. Scammers love to pitch “too-good-to-be-true” deals or exploit overly generous trust in direct messaging. TikTok’s message: Stay alert, protect your profile, don’t take offers blindly.
Quick checklist to level up your profile security
- Pause and ask: “Is this offer legit, or just something bait-worthy?”
- Enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible (yes, on TikTok too).
- Review who can DM you, comment, send links, etc. Trim excess exposure.
- Update the app regularly, new versions often plug fresh security holes.
- Educate yourself. Those short TikTok-tips videos? Watch them. They’re designed for busy people like you.
- And finally: If something smells off, trust your gut.
Bottom line
TikTok stepping into stronger cybersecurity territory is a good sign, but it doesn’t replace your own vigilance. Use what they’ve given you (cool videos, intuitive prompts) as tools, but remember the real power lies in your decisions online.