Protecting yourself online in Pakistan: the complete guide.

Your digital safety is your physical safety. In Pakistan's social context — where online exposure can have real-world consequences for your reputation, relationships, and security — the following practices are essential, not optional.

Account security basics

• Use a strong, unique password for every account — a password manager (Bitwarden, 1Password) handles this
• Enable two-factor authentication on every account that matters — especially email, WhatsApp, and social media
• Your phone number is your most important security key — protect your SIM. SIM swapping (someone taking over your number) gives them access to everything
• Log out of accounts on shared devices — family computers, borrowed phones
• Don't click links in messages from unknown numbers — phishing is how most accounts are compromised

WhatsApp privacy settings

• Profile photo: Contacts only (Settings → Privacy → Profile Photo)
• Last seen: Nobody or Contacts only
• About: Nobody
• Status: Contacts only
• Read receipts: Off (optional — prevents them knowing when you've read)
• Groups: My contacts (prevents strangers adding you to groups)
• Auto-download media: Off (Settings → Storage → disable all auto-download)

What never to share with someone you've met online

• Your home address or neighbourhood
• Your workplace or office location
• Your CNIC number
• Banking details of any kind
• Intimate photos or videos
• Information about your family members
• Your daily routine or schedule
• Photos that show identifiable landmarks near your home

Social media privacy

• Set your Instagram and Facebook to private before any online dating activity
• Review your tagged photos — remove tags that show your location, home, or daily patterns
• Don't post real-time location (airports, events) while you're still there
• Review your followers/friends list regularly — remove people you don't know
• Be careful with Facebook dating features — they're connected to your main Facebook account