What about the information you post on social media? Who is viewing your photos, locations and testimonials, and what could they do with them? This article is an invitation to reflect on the data you share and, above all, with whom.
97,3% of people share their information digitally. Of these, 78,7% share photos and videos of their family, and 48% share videos and photos of other topics. This is stated in the most recent publication of My Precious Data: Stranger Danger, from Kaspersky Lab.
What are you putting online and available to whom? What can other users do with your photos, location, and details of your family and work relationships?
Kaspersky Lab's research reveals even more worrying data that answers the questions above. Of those who share their data online, 47% say they have lost information on their smartphones, 52% from their computers and 20% from their tablets. Where did it go? Where did they take it from and what happened to it? These are the big questions.
The most vulnerable today to any data incident in digital settings are members of the 16-24 age group, who claim to share 61% of their personal data. This does not take into account the large amount of financial information that is exposed through publications or careless data storage by this segment of the population.
What can you do to protect yourself from these risks? The main recommendation is to always think twice: what could happen if this information falls into the wrong hands?
In addition to the above question, we have five recommendations for you on things you should avoid on your digital channels.
1. Don't tell people you're going on vacation:
Be careful not to give away any hints about your vacation plans, especially when your home will be empty. Malicious people could rely on this to know when your home is most vulnerable and then ransack your belongings.
2. Don't share your phone number
When you are asked for this information, check that it is a form and that it is really necessary. Also, verify that this website complies with the HTTPS protocol and that they certify that they protect your personal data.
3. Be careful with the photos you post!
When sharing photos, you must have the explicit consent of those who appear in them. It is also very important that you indicate the purpose for which this material is being requested and where it will be published.
4. Is it really necessary to share your location?
There are multiple apps that invite you to share your location, from Swarm to Yelp, Facebook itself, or Instagram's geolocated photos. Before you do so, consider whether it is advisable for your real-time location to be in the hands of someone who shouldn't.
5. Make sure your data is protected:
Each of your personal details offers more information than you imagine about yourself, your family and your assets. That is why it is important that you are aware of where you fill them in and activate the security tools available on your devices and networks to avoid electronic crimes.
The security of your personal data is an inseparable factor from your activity on y offline. Get informed, filter what you share and take care of your integrity and that of your loved ones.