Safeguarding Your Digital Footprint: The Risks of Oversharing

Whether it’s posting photographs of your smashed avocado and toast or voicing your political beliefs for all to see, sharing on social media has become as much a part of our daily lives as brushing our teeth.

And sure, it all seems innocent enough, right? Who doesn’t want to post about their new job for a few likes? But do you know the risks that come with oversharing online? This guide will explore the dangers of sharing too much on social media platforms, offer tips on how to limit your sharing, and explain how tools such as dark web monitoring services can help safeguard your digital footprint and prevent potential risks.

The dangers of oversharing online

A recent study revealed that 84% of people post personal information to their social media profiles every week. Half of that number posts every single day, turning social media sites into a hub for criminal activity. Some of the risks associated with oversharing include:

Identity theft

While you might not think twice about sharing your full name, date of birth, address, and phone number, be aware that someone could be lurking in the shadows, collecting your information to steal your identity.

Physical security risks

When you share photographs while on vacation, you may unintentionally inform criminals that your home is empty, making it an easy target. Additionally, if you post photographs of your home filled with fancy jewelry, gadgets, or other valuable items, you could reveal objects that criminals might want to steal.

Social engineering risks

You’d be surprised at the seemingly harmless information that cybercriminals can use to their advantage. Everyday details like pet names or birthdays can be used to guess passwords or bypass security questions. Cybercriminals can also use this information to craft convincing phishing attacks and manipulate you or someone you know into revealing even more information that could be detrimental.

Cyberstalking

Be wary of who you allow to view your profile. A malicious actor could be peeping on your every move and knowing everything about you, including your location, hobbies and interests, and even your daily routine. This could lead to harassment or potential harm.

How to avoid becoming a victim of oversharing

To protect yourself from the risks associated with oversharing online, it is essential to adopt proactive measures. By being mindful of your digital footprint and understanding the potential consequences of your online actions, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of becoming a target for identity theft or scams. Here are some practical steps you can take to safeguard your personal information:

Adjust privacy settings

Make sure your profile is private so that only your connections can see what you’re up to. Additionally, be wary of random friend requests and don’t automatically accept them. Only connect with people you know in real life.

Get creative with passwords

Avoid using pet names or other meaningful names as your passwords. Or, at least, try not to mention them on your social media.

Keep some things private

Details such as special anniversary dates, addresses, and places of work should all (ideally) be kept confidential, as cybercriminals can use this information to craft a social engineering attack or steal your identity.

Be wary of posting travel pictures

Everyone loves showing off their tan whilst they’re on vacation by posting their best pics on Instagram, but remember you’re also alerting others that your home is potentially unoccupied, which is good news to burglars.

Use dark web monitoring services

We’ve all heard of the dark web, regardless of whether or not we truly know what happens there. It’s an underground marketplace where identity thieves can buy or sell personal information taken from your social media profile. Scary, right?

Fortunately, tools exist that can scan websites and forums on the dark web and alert you if any of your information is found. These dark web monitoring tools function similarly to regular search engines and help identify compromised credentials or sensitive data.

If you learn your information has been found on the dark web, change your passwords and review your credit report for any discrepancies.

Think before you post

Last but not least, remember that whatever you post online is there to stay. Think twice about what you’re posting and whether or not it’s necessary. Future employers can always look you up online, and if there’s anything that doesn’t resonate with their company values, it could cost you a job opportunity.