Internet Safety Practices For Military Families: Resources & Guides To Locking Down Your Social Media Profiles

Social media and the internet in today’s society have become a blessing and curse. For military families it is a great way to stay connected with your loved one no matter where they are in the world, BUT it also imposes many security risks.

Operation Security (OPSEC) measures are not something to take lightly these day and when not practiced mindfully you could put your service member in harms way, but also your family as whole. Today’s enemy is full of skillful cyber hackers and terrorist that are just watching and waiting for important information to be shared. Just as important as OPSEC is Personal Security (PERSEC).

What is OPSEC?

The U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity defines OPSEC as the process by which we protect unclassified information that can be used against us. OPSEC challenges us to look at ourselves through the eyes of an adversary (individuals, groups, countries, organizations). Essentially, anyone who can harm people, resources, or mission is an adversary.

DODea OPSEC Resources

What is PERSEC?

PERSEC is process of keeping you and your families personal information secured.

Military.com: Three Everyday Easy PERSEC Rules

10 Tips for Mindful OPSEC & PERSEC Practices

NEVER share the 5 W’s of troop movement
Do not announce that your loved one deployed

Although it is safer to post “Sad my hubby deployed” than “Sad my hubby deployed yesterday”, ask yourself this “Do I really want a stranger to know that I will be home alone (with my kids) for a LONG period of time?”

Do not post specifics about unit deployment locations
Do not share specifics about unit names
Avoid sharing pictures that show your service member’s name and insignia
Avoid engaging with geo-tracking accessories like “checking in” on Facebook
Avoid posting subtle remarks about your spouses’s duty or mission while deployed.

“Prayers please, my husband is out on a mission tonight.”

Keep your countdown clocks private. Avoid sharing pictures of your in home and digital countdown clocks.
Avoid sharing the service member’s job specifics or role during a deployment

Every now and then you will see news articles around specific units while deployed. Some articles share sad information for families and others share positive information around the unit’s accomplishments and strengths. Sometimes it’s best to think twice about sharing how the article is relevant to your service member. Keep in mind that some information vetting procedures don’t go smoothly. There have been many situations where loved ones have found out unfortunate news about their service member via news article.