March 11, 2024
Millions of users daily use their favorite social networks for shopping, posting photos, viewing news, and communicating. However, often careless handling of personal data on social networks can lead to fraud, password theft, and sometimes even the loss of valuable items.
In this regard, ESET specialists have prepared a list of actions that can lead to such consequences, as well as tips for avoiding them and ensuring safety on social media.
What activities can jeopardize safety on social media?
Take care of your safety on social networks, as the published personal data will remain on the Internet forever.
1. Distribution of personal and financial data
Criminals are always on the lookout for personal or financial information that can be used to obtain funds or open online accounts in the victim’s name. Moreover, cybercriminals can use personal data to hack passwords and steal social media accounts.
The same applies to the dissemination of personal data of your loved ones, which can be used against them. Remember that in most cases, all published information remains on the Internet forever. Therefore, before publishing any personal details, even those seemingly innocent, such as the name of a pet or a date of birth, consider all possible risks.
2. Travel planning and sharing locations on social media
Posting photos or messages with details about an upcoming vacation can jeopardize not just the security of social networks, but directly the owner’s home and belongings in their absence. That’s why, if you want to share your impressions of a particular event or trip, it’s better to do it afterwards.
Since knowing that the potential victim will be home alone or walking in a remote area, the perpetrator can use this information for their malicious purposes. That’s why you should control the dissemination of location data, as some social media platforms may automatically tag the location of posts. Remember that posts about family events or the whereabouts of friends can reveal details about where you live, work, or spend your free time.
3. Publications about precious purchases
Photos of expensive jewelry or a new car can make you a potential target for criminals whose goal is to commit robbery or theft. Therefore, try not to spread information about new purchases or gifts for your own safety.
4. Distribution of children’s photographs
Some parents love to share various photos of their children without considering the possible consequences of such actions. Since from one innocent photo, cybercriminals can obtain a name, date of birth, and address, which they can then use for malicious purposes. At a young age, children are unable to influence their parents’ actions; however, as they grow older, parents should consider their children’s opinions regarding the publication of content featuring them. Also, when distributing images of someone’s children, it is necessary to obtain their consent first. Read more about the risks of sharing children’s photos on social media at the link.
5. Deceptive prize draws on social media
Social media is overflowing with prize giveaways and free gifts. Often, these are disguised attempts to obtain users’ personal information or even spread hidden malware. So think twice before filling out any online forms and sharing links to giveaways. Read more about similar types of fraud at the link.
6. Private messages
Social networks are public platforms even when choosing a private account. That’s why you shouldn’t exchange confidential data on such sites, especially if it relates to your work. Since any data can be stolen due to your account being hacked, do not share anything you might regret later.
Tips for social media safety
To avoid potential dangers when using social media, follow these recommendations.
Before posting any message or photo, you should consider how this information could be used against you, even if the profile is private.
Periodically review your friends list and remove unknown or unwanted followers.
Limit the list of followers you trust to view your posts. This will help reduce the likelihood that someone will use the published information for malicious purposes.
Limit access to photos so that only acquaintances, friends, and close ones can see them.
Enable multi-factor authentication for each account and create strong and unique passwords. This will reduce the chances of an account being hacked, even if cybercriminals manage to guess or crack the password.
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