Protect your privacy: 7 things you should not share online
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In today’s world of constant online sharing, some things are better left unposted. The digital space offers great connections but also serious risks.
Author Kim Komando shares seven things you should never share online to protect yourself—plus tips to stay safe!
They prey on emotions and may target individuals they perceive as vulnerable, such as widows and widowers, hoping to tap into potential inheritance funds.
Remember Rosalie Douglass's story? She lost a heart-wrenching $430,000 to online dating scammers.
Pro tip: Be cautious about the personal details you share on dating and social media platforms. Consider leaving your relationship status blank or sharing it only with a close circle of trusted friends.
Take Tiffany's case, for example. Her Carnival cruise was hijacked by a scammer who used her ticket information to cancel her $15,000 vacation.
Pro tip: Save the vacation photos and stories for your return. That way, you won't advertise your empty home to potential burglars or give scammers a chance to ruin your plans.
This isn't science fiction; it's happening now, as seen with the social media user Sam, whose likeness was stolen for a product promotion.
Pro tip: Be selective about the videos you post online. Consider setting your social media profiles to private to control who has access to your content.
A South Carolina man learned this the hard way when he was robbed at gunpoint while trying to sell a limited-edition PlayStation.
Pro tip: Always meet buyers in well-lit, public places—preferably with surveillance cameras, like your local police station parking lot. And never go alone.
Even Secret Service agents have made this mistake, compromising the security of high-profile individuals.
Pro tip: Adjust your fitness app's privacy settings to keep your routes private, or consider disabling GPS features if you're not comfortable with the data being recorded.
It's a sad reality that there are individuals who might use this information with ill intent.
Pro tip: Avoid posting photos or details that could reveal the location of your child's school or their regular activities. Keep any shared information vague and non-identifiable.
Scammers use details like your workplace, position, and project involvement to craft convincing scams that can lead to financial or data loss.
Pro tip: Limit the work-related information you share on social media. Celebrate your career achievements, but do so without giving away specifics that could be used against you or your company.
We encourage you to review your online habits and make any necessary adjustments to safeguard your privacy.
And don't forget to pass on this knowledge to your friends and family—after all, cybersecurity is a team effort.
Remember, in the vast vineyard of the internet, it's best to cultivate a healthy dose of caution.
By keeping certain details private, you can enjoy the fruits of connectivity without the sour taste of regret.
Have you ever experienced a privacy breach due to something you shared online? Do you have additional tips for staying safe on the internet? Share your stories and advice in the comments below.
Author Kim Komando shares seven things you should never share online to protect yourself—plus tips to stay safe!
1. Keep your relationship status under wraps
Whether you're single, married, or recently widowed, broadcasting your relationship status can make you a magnet for scammers.They prey on emotions and may target individuals they perceive as vulnerable, such as widows and widowers, hoping to tap into potential inheritance funds.
Remember Rosalie Douglass's story? She lost a heart-wrenching $430,000 to online dating scammers.
Pro tip: Be cautious about the personal details you share on dating and social media platforms. Consider leaving your relationship status blank or sharing it only with a close circle of trusted friends.
It is advisable to keep your relationship status, especially if you're a widow or widower, off social media and dating apps due to scammers targeting inheritances. Image source: Pexels.
2. Zip your lips about vacation plans
Excitement about an upcoming getaway is natural, but sharing your itinerary or ticket details online can lead to disaster.Take Tiffany's case, for example. Her Carnival cruise was hijacked by a scammer who used her ticket information to cancel her $15,000 vacation.
Pro tip: Save the vacation photos and stories for your return. That way, you won't advertise your empty home to potential burglars or give scammers a chance to ruin your plans.
3. Think before you post videos
With the rise of deepfake technology, even a simple video of you speaking can be manipulated to put words in your mouth or falsely endorse products.This isn't science fiction; it's happening now, as seen with the social media user Sam, whose likeness was stolen for a product promotion.
Pro tip: Be selective about the videos you post online. Consider setting your social media profiles to private to control who has access to your content.
4. Exercise caution when selling high-value items
Selling items online can be convenient, but it can also be risky.A South Carolina man learned this the hard way when he was robbed at gunpoint while trying to sell a limited-edition PlayStation.
Pro tip: Always meet buyers in well-lit, public places—preferably with surveillance cameras, like your local police station parking lot. And never go alone.
5. Don't broadcast your exercise routes
Fitness apps are fantastic for tracking your progress, but sharing your routes can inadvertently reveal sensitive information, such as your home address or daily routine.Even Secret Service agents have made this mistake, compromising the security of high-profile individuals.
Pro tip: Adjust your fitness app's privacy settings to keep your routes private, or consider disabling GPS features if you're not comfortable with the data being recorded.
6. Protect your children's information
Sharing your child's achievements is a proud moment for any parent, but posting details about their school or extracurricular activities can put them at risk.It's a sad reality that there are individuals who might use this information with ill intent.
Pro tip: Avoid posting photos or details that could reveal the location of your child's school or their regular activities. Keep any shared information vague and non-identifiable.
7. Be discreet about work details
Posting about your job might seem harmless, but it can set you up for targeted phishing attacks.Scammers use details like your workplace, position, and project involvement to craft convincing scams that can lead to financial or data loss.
Pro tip: Limit the work-related information you share on social media. Celebrate your career achievements, but do so without giving away specifics that could be used against you or your company.
We encourage you to review your online habits and make any necessary adjustments to safeguard your privacy.
And don't forget to pass on this knowledge to your friends and family—after all, cybersecurity is a team effort.
Remember, in the vast vineyard of the internet, it's best to cultivate a healthy dose of caution.
By keeping certain details private, you can enjoy the fruits of connectivity without the sour taste of regret.
