The social media era is also the consumer data era, where brands and businesses now have more insights into who you are, what you like, and how that can be used to better reach you with targeted ads in order to boost response.

And for the most part, that's okay - if you're going to be served ads, why not be shown content that's of relevance and interest to you?

But as we've witnessed with the Cambridge Analytica scandal, such information can also be used to sway opinion, to influence political outcomes, and to fuel divisive movements.

Given this, more people are now turning to more private communications, with messaging app usage rising faster than social engagement. And with that increased awareness and emphasis on privacy, people are also looking at how they can better secure their social media activities.

To provide some insight into this, the team from Varonis have put together this infographic, outlining the various advanced security tools and options in use on the major networks.  

A version of this post was first published on the Digital Information World blog.