Beware of what you share: New research shows that less than half of people in the UK set their social media to private

Social media public posts increase risk factors.

Intelligence team research found that people leave a stream of information on online platforms without considering the risk of their digital footprints. The study found that 60 per cent of the people disclose their locations and tag the restaurants or places they visit when posting messages or stories. 

However, the most concerning is the social media posts of the surroundings that clearly show the location of your house. If an unethical group of scammers accesses such information, they can use it to get a detailed picture of the place that can offer direct access to their home and private life. Oversharing or posting publicly available information increases the risk of theft of personal data. 

The latest research on social media finds people are setting their profiles to private, but 30 per cent are worried that someone can use their pictures and information against them. 

Most small businesses are a dedicated group of people who, through years of work, accumulate dedicated clients, and often, with time, they seek to improve their workflow to benefit the buyers. 

Many use social media platforms to post ads. However, the demand for their services allows the scammers to track their activities and sign a monthly contract for their services, which are never provided. 

How does it work?

Several small-scale companies agreed to invest in low-cost marketing services to generate public relations to get recognition and business online. They paid for the service to promote the brand. 

But, after making payments, it became difficult for them to communicate with the service provider, who delayed the promise and disappeared once they received the payments. 

People are targeted for social media posts by malicious actors who use the information for financial gains, reputation damage and physical harm. In 2020, many were stuck at home; some individuals entered dating sites and created relationships. 

They send intimate pictures, videos and private communications, which they later find the other person was extracting only to dig up a large sum of money from the victim. 

During the pandemic lockdowns, men (between 19 and 35) were predominantly targeted by the groups operating such schemes, who were based overseas, and the impact of losses was long-lasting, where some of the young men who lost their money found no other way out than to take their own life. 

Some executives working in reputable firms were under fire for distasteful, offensive posts on social media platforms. Of course, when anything happens, their PR company may spring into action to lower the impact, but posting private information about friends and family raises multiple risks. 

How to protect yourself?

• Be mindful of what you post on your public profiles. The cyber police have been trying to generate awareness. They want people to avoid posting about their child, school name, age, grade, or classroom, as predators or others can endanger family members or finances. 

• So even when you set the privacy, it's best to keep personal information to a minimum on the internet, and you should avoid posting messages related to passwords or security questions. 

• You should always review your social media settings and ensure anonymous posts are not publicly viewed and tracked.

• Do not panic, and do not pay if you get messages where you are pressured to pay after communicating with an unsolicited caller. Even if you agree to pay to hide your secrets, there is no guarantee they will not post the messages they possess. 

• Do not communicate with such groups who threaten and persuade you to pay the ransom. 

• Seek help from local police to resolve the problem. 

• It is best to keep personal information to a bare minimum on the internet.